The $47 million difference a contract can make: Palmdale, CA

May 2014

In 2014, 484 current and former SPEEA-represented employees received an award of $47 million when an arbitrator ruled The Boeing Company had denied them the benefits of their SPEEA contract.

The arbitrator’s final ruling and award, issued in January 2014, required Boeing to “make whole” the employees for everything they should have received under the union contracts and then include 10% simple interest. Many current employees received salary increases of up to $33,000 annually.

Arbitrator's award breakdown:

“I can now enjoy retirement: This went in the bank, and gave me peace of mind.”

— Dennis Lathrop, Palmdale awardee

Dan Chase, who was laid off by Boeing in 2010, learned he was due an award and immediately knew this was life changing.

“I lost my wife to cancer and went through all my savings. I’ve got two kids in college now, so this is a very big deal for me.  ”

— Dan Chase, Palmdale awardee

Read SPEEA's press release on the arbitration award. 

Watch an interview with former Boeing employee Ed Shepard on the impact of his award.

After being denied union representation for years by The Boeing Company, Ed Shepard and 483 other current and former Boeing employees are sharing a $47 million arbitration award thanks to a 14-year effort by SPEEA-IFPTE Local 2001.