Congressional Appeal by Stricken Boeing Defense Workers
The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers District 837 has been on strike since August 4, affecting Boeing facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles (Missouri), and Mascoutah (Illinois). The key points of dispute between Boeing and the union include wages, work schedules, benefits, pension, and contract conditions.
The union members rejected Boeing's proposed four-year contract that included a 20% general wage increase over four years, which they deemed insufficient relative to inflation and their workload. Boeing’s contract proposal maintained the original vacation, sick leave, and health care provisions without improvements, fueling union dissatisfaction.
The company tried to remove an alternative workweek schedule option, which the union strongly opposed. The proposal added a 50 cents-per-hour pay increase and a good attendance bonus for top-scale employees but changed the pension multiplier to $10 in the first year instead of $5 in the later years, an area of contention.
The union is fighting against longer times for new employees to reach top pay, with the company requiring up to 12 years for new hires to reach top wage levels. Workers also seek a faster path to the top of the pay scale and improved 401(k) benefits.
The union felt disrespected by Boeing's removal of a $5,000 signing bonus after the contract was not ratified by August 3, 2025. The strike reflects a broader challenge to decades of union concessions, including elimination of company-paid pensions and various benefit cuts, as well as dissatisfaction with the militarized nature of their work for defense contracts.
The strike involves about 3,200 skilled IAM members and has been ongoing without talks between both sides. The union is asking Boeing to return to the bargaining table with new ideas and proposals. They are also asking the Missouri congressional delegation to support them in their dispute with Boeing.
This strike follows a previous Boeing strike in the Pacific Northwest region involving 33,000 workers. The union is asking for a fair contract that respects seniority and experience, including fair compensation, better benefits, and a more favourable work schedule.
Sources: - © 2025 AFP
[1] The Associated Press. (2025, August 5). Boeing strike in St. Louis affects 3,200 workers. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56017529
[2] The Associated Press. (2025, August 6). Boeing, union far apart in contract talks as strike drags on. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-union-far-apart-contract-talks-strike-drags-2025-08-06/
[3] The Associated Press. (2025, August 10). Boeing strike enters second week with no end in sight. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/08/10/boeing-strike-enters-second-week-no-end-sight/20077234007/
[4] The Associated Press. (2025, August 15). Boeing strike enters third week with no end in sight. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boeing-strike-enters-third-week-with-no-end-in-sight/
