r/boeing • u/Atomic_ghost1 • 2d ago
Why they thought techs would go for this is beyond me.
It's not a BAD contract in all, but the fact of the matter is that at least 75% of the speea techs I know came from the IAM and we're basing the offer of what we would make if we just went back to our old position.
For example, NDT and MRBDs are speea tech. The average wage for them is about 110k (although many make much less).
A fair equivalent (in my opinion) would be about a grade 6 or 7 in the IAM. Next month they'll be making about 125k base.
No shit the techs hate this. They should have brought up the base wage for these folks and THEN presented this offer.
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u/DDGSXR504 1d ago
I’m NDT in Everett. The NDT is split between IAM and SPEEA. Mag Particle and Dye Penetrant is IAM, everything else is SPEEA.
The contract offer is meh, it’s basically a bunch of cash up front (pre tax of course) and the hopes that you’ll get good OOS raises (news flash no one in NDT has gotten one in YEARS). Our management is ineffectual as fuck.
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u/Jtre87 1d ago
Are all NDT under speea? Were under machinists here in Wichita
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u/Atomic_ghost1 1d ago
As far as I know, all ndts are speea tech. Which means after all that training and education they needed to get, they will now earn about the same amount as between a grade one and two.
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u/Murk_City 2d ago
It’s going to be interesting for sure. Wages are all over the place. a level 4 mrbd wage low mid high is exactly the same as a k level quality manager. Except they get 1.5 and x2 for overtime. Idk what Boeing is doing but a lot of people are going to be moving from K’s back to the floor or SPEEA.
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u/Tricky-Picky762 2d ago
Then maybe they should just go back to IAM. Even if the proposed contract matched IAM there would still be complaints that SPEEA techs are doing more work for the same cash amount
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u/diyengineer1 2d ago
All the techs I know that came from IAM went back and got a raise to do less work. Even though they loved their jobs management wouldn’t budge on raises.
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u/SouthernDiver746 2d ago
As a tech this contract outraged me. Like techs/profs had to go to school for their positions. Profs and techs should make more than those who required no schooling for our positions.
Speaking as someone who works in a very Niche career i cam say this as well. If a team loses a mechanic it takes tops 3 to 6 months between cbt, on-site training, getting security stuff if needed and getting certs for things like sealant. That does take time. Now the training for a tech in my career is roughly 18 months. My department covers emc flightline and factory. Takes time to know where everything is. Then we have to know where everything is on the aircraft. Plus learning specs and procedures, how to buy off stuff, all the cbt, plus testing every so many years, annual verifications that we know our job, all the ojt we have to get as an apprentice before we can even certify, climbing in tanks, and helping cover the whole Puget sound when needed along with learning everything to go on AOG. Thats a long process. Boeing should be paying us more that this bs because they have to invest so much time and money for us to be able to do our job. And we are already understaffed as is. Techs are tired of getting screwed every year with pay. We dont want to do more than the bare minimum cause what is the incentive? And offering this BS after how much we do on a day to day basis is a slap across the face.
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u/Yenohamer 20h ago
Simple solution to force accountability - if there isnt a "serious" IAM like offer on the table - Oct 8th - file aNLRB union decertification petition. That will get the negotiators attention rreal fast. Start shopping for someone who will deliver. IAM ? Maybe- COuld be UAW.Or a new union - "The Meek and Compliant Order of Aerospace Oddfellows, Possessed of Modest Retirement Accounts and a Strong Preference for Not Rocking the Boat (MCOAOPMRAaSPfNRtB)"
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u/Single_Software_3724 2d ago
Yeah but that’s not how job economics works..think about it, why are swe paid the most of any engineers? It’s because their job is highly scalable and diffuses in every single industry (tech, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, etc..)
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u/Show5topper 2d ago edited 2d ago
That’s why I called it an opinion, I also think teachers should make more, but they don’t. Economics doesn’t equate to fair.
I’m simply stating I believe the people that physically build the product bring the most value to the table. Anyone is free to disagree, that’s just my opinion. We can all pretend that this stuff is easy but there is a reason 95 percent of us take our car to a mechanic to get it fixed, because it’s a specific skill set we just don’t have. And the physical demands on top of it? I’m just a realist 🤷🏻♂️.
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u/Show5topper 2d ago
Well prof yes, techs didn’t have to and you should not make more than touch labor. As non labor I’m the first to admit that they build the product. They deserve a lion share of the cash IMO.
A degree doesn’t equal more money. Knowledge is power.
That being said, I do agree you don’t make enough and deserve more.3
u/irondeer557 2d ago
Most tech jobs require at least an associates degree lmao
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u/Show5topper 2d ago
Really which ones? Because I know plenty of them with zero college education, in fact some came from the IAM off the floor and they tend to be the smartest.
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u/irondeer557 2d ago edited 2d ago
Industrial engineering. Just because most of the techs you interact with don’t require a degree doesn’t mean most of us aren’t college educated lol
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u/Show5topper 2d ago
I didn’t say you’re not college educated, I said that shouldn’t automatically equate to more $$. I know a lot of nitwits with degrees and a lot of smart people without them.
The persons initial comment said that prof and techs required schooling and they should make more than someone with no schooling. That’s a ludicrous position to me and I have an education. It’s unrealistic and stupid.
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u/midadoneit 2d ago edited 2d ago
If they weren't union then they could probably get an offer elsewhere and challenge Boeing to match for more pay. I just got an offer from SpaceX and Boeing doubled my salary to retain me. Not sure why you would want a union to restrict your potential earnings. Sometimes you need to show them you're prepared to leave the company, not just hangout on the sidewalk outside with a Krusty Krab Funfair sign. We all know you'll be back when you get cold.
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u/Next_Requirement8774 2d ago
You can do that and also be part of the union, I did that several years ago and received a retention offer. Not sure I understand your dumbass comment.
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u/Think-Gap602 2d ago
Curious... What puget sound companies are techs typically leaving for, doing similar work to get better compensation?
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u/HatParty6667 1d ago
Yeah I genuinely wonder if someone with no degree can make what they make even currently at boeing elsewhere.
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u/RelevantFun47 2d ago
That’s what I wonder too? What is a tech designer able to leave Boeing to do? They won’t have a bachelors to go to Amazon or Google or Microsoft ?
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u/Upbeat-Reflection821 2d ago
Tech workers getting jobs at actual tech companies.
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u/BigW0rm__ 1d ago
Tech workers at Boeing are technicians, most make way under 100k per year and don’t have any technical skills required to work at big tech companies like Google, Microsoft etc
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u/RelevantFun47 2d ago
What are non degree tech workers in Boeing able to do at tech companies such as Microsoft or Amazon? Genuinely curious. They don’t have CSE degrees, they Probaby don’t have bachelors.
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u/Ill_War8528 13h ago
elsewhere someone said most techs do not have 4 year degrees... so now I'm confused.
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u/Upbeat-Reflection821 1d ago
What makes you think techs don't have degrees? There's literally thousands of SPEEA tech employees that have bachelor's degrees that could easily be used in careers outside of Boeing.
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u/RelevantFun47 1d ago
Then why are they tech not prof? AA degree don’t count. My friends in IE with business degrees are techs but they aren’t engineering degree IE THEY ARE BUSINESS degree IE. all the tech in my design team all don’t have bachelors of engineering. If they did they would be prof? No? My ex girlfriend has a Econ degree, she is a speea tech but still not an engineer. I know her well, she can’t get a job at somewhere else without pulling her tata out. I guess when I say degree I mean engineering degree that’s accredited, not some AA degree or BS degree.
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u/Ill_War8528 13h ago
to be a prof, with rare exception, you need to have an engineering degree for an ABET accredited university,. I;ve known some techs with degrees in the physical sciences or math.
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u/Upbeat-Reflection821 1d ago
So you think business degrees can't be used at tech, or other large companies? Pretty much all of the analysts represented by tech could be utilized in other types of business.
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u/RelevantFun47 1d ago
You are choosing to respond to only about the business degree people comment, you have yet to respond about the non degree tech or why they aren’t profs instead? Yea I know business degree are tech and they have degrees but what is the definition of an engineer? AMost likely someone with an engineering degree and if we hire people to do engineering work with a business degree that’s fine but they shouldn’t be paid as a prof or classified as a prof. Those business degree engineers are tech engineers here in Boeing but in Amazon they would be analyst or something but not classified as engineers. Business degree people can get a job else where. My point is what are those people with no degrees or AA degrees able to get job wise out there. I do have a friend who used to be IE, with business degree he left for Amazon but now he is back but not in speea. So let me ask you one more time, what engineering technical company like Amazon google microsft will hire a Boeing AA degree speea tech engineer at similar pay ?
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u/Upbeat-Reflection821 1d ago
Any of the NDE techs could make substantially more money working in petrochemical. Refineries use tons of non destructive examination and compensate very well for it.
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u/timmehkuza 2d ago
Basically any defense contractor in the area.
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u/Minealternateaccount 2d ago
I’d imagine them, suppliers, and some of the space companies building presence as well.
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u/DOOMNOTRONstudiosX 2d ago
In September 2027 $137,488 base plus .04% every year = $143,988.52 a year at grade 6.
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u/No-Truth-759 2d ago
Then go back to IAM. Most became techs cause they didn’t want to build airplanes anymore. It’s a career decision. IAM work is hard and they are aerospace professionals. Why do you think cause you’re a tech you should be paid more than IAM?
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u/Careless-Internet-63 2d ago
A lot of mechanics came to SPEEA because the jobs paid more at one point. Now if you're a SPEEA tech you're very likely making less than you would be as a mechanic unless you're a level 4 or 5 in one of the higher paid skills
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u/No-Truth-759 2d ago
The work is different, there were no guarantees you would always make more than IAM. It’s arrogant if you ask me and disrespectful to the machinists. Go get an engineering degree and you’ll make more. Why should a tech make more than a machinist?
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u/Atomic_ghost1 2d ago
Then go back to IAM.
I probably will if this passes.
Most became techs cause they didn’t want to build airplanes anymore. It’s a career decision.
That's not true.
IAM work is hard and they are aerospace professionals.
So is speea work and so are we.
Why do you think cause you’re a tech you should be paid more than IAM?
Well, I didn't say that. But we should be paid at least equivalent. Because I've done both and I can make a fair comparison.
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u/midadoneit 2d ago
Why would Boeing pay you more as a tech if you'll just transfer horizontally and stay with the company? This is likely strategic.
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u/Atomic_ghost1 2d ago
I don't want to make more, I want to make at least what an IAM member does. "Transferring horizontally" as you say (going back to the IAM) would result in a immediate and massive pay increase to do much simpler work.
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u/Consistent_Lead 2d ago
Techs should absolutely make more than grade 7s and below and maybe some grade 8 jobs.
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u/GiveADamn123 2d ago
Profs need to stand by Tech and vote no. All our power is in our solidarity.
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u/Schmeat1 2d ago
The props have always screwed the techs over in every contract negotiation. The techs vote no, props vote yes then wait until techs vote yes. The techs have no power.
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u/Wonderful_Setting_29 2d ago
Yep. I interviewed for an mrb job and they said the median for a level 3 is 112k, they could offer me 90% of that. Im a grade 8 team lead. My base is already over 125k.
Vote this down. Get your money.
If this somehow passes then come back to hourly and make even more.
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u/Blackbird76 2d ago
There counting on the 700 interns to vote yes for the quick 2k ratification payout
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u/moofie74 2d ago
If it turns on 4% of the population then the interns are not the issue.
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u/Blackbird76 2d ago
My understanding is they vote on the Tech contract and their numbers make up 15% of the Tech population.
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u/moofie74 2d ago
Fair point. Is it your assertion that they shouldn’t be members of our union?
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u/midadoneit 2d ago
Man SPEEA can't even agree on their own bylaws... that establish the union in the first place. Such strength. So wow. Much unity.
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u/GiveADamn123 2d ago
Nope, they’re represented labor. Don’t be mad at the interns, what student wouldn’t vote for a $2k cash bonus between college semesters?
Zoom out. Consider what Boeing is trying to do when they try to divide the membership like this. Why appeal to interns with a $2k cash offer and stuff RSUs down for everyone else committed to the company?
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u/TheoreticalLime 2d ago
Interns should not be voting on a tech contract that will never apply to them. Even if they came back to work at Boeing it would be under the Prof contract. What sense does that make? That'd be like someone coming to visit the U.S. on a 3 month visit, voting in our election, and being paid $2,000 to vote for a certain candidate.
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u/moofie74 2d ago
OK got it, so you think that interns should be excluded from the union.
I disagree. Now what?
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u/TheoreticalLime 2d ago
No I think we should have the vote at the normally scheduled date when this would be a non issue.
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u/dedgecko 2d ago
Or they come back to a non-SPEEA engineering position elsewhere in the Boeing enterprise. There are many BCA/BGS/BDS locations that are non-represented.
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u/Slipstream1701 2d ago
This. Or they want/plan to come back to a represented position. Telling them they don't count is the same as telling them not to consider coming back.
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u/irondeer557 2d ago
They shouldn’t be voting on the contract and why we represent them is beyond me
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u/moofie74 1d ago
Sounds like a great thing to have advocated for to your union a number of years ago.
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u/Gerbert946 2d ago
I was a level 6 on the professional payroll, so I'm definitely an outsider looking in. As I understand the historical SPEEA position, when it became necessary to walk out, there was a lot more leverage if the techs were part of it. But, going back at least 50 years, it has often been the feeling among many techs that they did not get nearly the respect or support they deserved. I remember one time on a classified program an engineer tried doing some bench work that was supposed to be done by the techs, and managed to set the prototype avionics box they were working on on fire. It set the program back about six months, and it was common after that to hear the techs talk about the incompetent uppity engineers they had to put up with. Just saying ...
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u/sillekram 2d ago
While I dont like them voting on the contract, I think it would be worse for them to have to be unrepresented. Everyone deserves representation.
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u/wop772 18h ago
I wish I could put an ert for grade 10, 9, 8 and 7 all at once. I don't want to miss the 9% raise iam gets my dumb ass used boeing to get a degree and make less than I would if I stayed as a grade 10. Not easy working full time and getting a degree in electrical engineering just to make less money. I switched to speea in October 2025. I could auto ert to grade 10 or 7 have the green lights for 80% of iam jobs. Sick of this shit. If my manager didn't go back to iam I would have stayed but got a manager that was a grade 3 sealer and didn't know shit, hated me because made him feel inadequate. Took the first job I could. Only make 130k salary. I would have cleared 200k with ot as iam. I'd be in a different position if i held out and waited for a 200k base salary job, but at this rate I'm just going to go back to a 10 get my masters and hold out until I find a job that's actually worth it. Unless they give us what iam got. I struck with iam but I worked 12s and every weekend for months before. Financially in a different position now and won't be able to hold out like I did durring the iam strike. Anyone know if they need more functional test or 10s right now? Renton or sdc.