Boeing’s largest white-collar union approved a sweetened four-year contract, reducing the risk of a strike that could have disrupted 737 production, aircraft certification and deliveries. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace represents about 17,000 Boeing workers across two bargaining units. The professional unit, representing roughly 13,000 engineers and scientists, approved the agreement with about 68% support, while the technical unit, representing about 4,000 designers, analysts and technicians, backed it with more than 53%. The contract guarantees a 10% wage increase upon ratification, followed by annual raises of 4% and the possibility of an additional 2% performance-based increase. The units had rejected Boeing’s initial offer, which tied guaranteed raises to inflation capped at 3%, with up to another 2.5% based on performance. Ratification came before the existing contracts expired on Oct. 6 and eased concerns about a work stoppage beginning Oct. 7. A strike could have delayed certification efforts for the 737 MAX 10 and 777X, disrupted 737 production, and undermined Boeing’s plans to increase output and accelerate deliveries. SPEEA’s last strike against Boeing took place in 2000 and lasted 40 days.