Boeing Increases 737 Production Rate but Faces Potential Strike by Engineers
Boeing is ramping up production of its 737 aircraft to a rate not seen in years. In the second quarter, it delivered 171 commercial planes and increased revenue year-over-year to $24.6 billion. The company began transitioning toward producing 47 units per month after being limited by regulators earlier this year due to safety concerns following an accident involving one of its aircraft. However, Boeing faces a potential disruption as engineers represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) rejected contract offers and authorized a strike. The current contracts expire on October 6, with overwhelming support for industrial action from both SPEEA units — professional members voted against the offer at around 64%, while technical workers did so at about 72%. A potential strike could impact engineering work that supports production increases and certification processes. Boeing has started preparing contingency plans in case of a strike, including reallocating funds for hiring replacements. Despite this, there is some optimism as SPEEA announced it will meet with Boeing to restart negotiations.
Topics: 737 production Boeing labor contracts strike authorization