Dispute at Boeing Weapons Division
Boeing Strike Entering Third Year: Union Members Seek Fair Contract
After nearly three years, a strike by over 3,200 workers at Boeing's facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles (Missouri), and Mascoutah (Illinois) continues. The workers, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, went on strike starting midnight on August 4, 2022, following the rejection of Boeing's latest modified four-year labor contract offer.
The union members are highly skilled and play a critical role in national defense, working on projects such as the F-15 fighter jets and related missile systems. The strike is not just about wage increases; it's about securing a fair contract that respects their skill, dedication, and critical role in national defense.
The current strike began after the rejection of both an earlier Boeing offer on July 27, 2022, which included a 20% wage increase over four years, and a subsequent modified offer voted on August 3, 2022, which was also rejected overwhelmingly. Union leaders had recommended approving the earlier proposal, but members rejected it, signaling that concerns likely include more than just wages, such as job security, work schedules, and benefits.
Boeing presented a final offer claiming it included 40% average wage growth and addressed workers’ primary issues on alternative schedules. However, the union members felt it was insufficient. Boeing has prepared contingency plans to maintain operations during the strike but acknowledges the impact on critical defense programs.
The strike has cost Boeing over $1 billion and has affected the company's defense division specifically. One of the projects causing issues is the conversion of two 747 aircraft into new presidential planes, located in Missouri and Illinois. The strike has also impacted the production of the F-15 fighter jets and related missile systems.
Boeing, the U.S. aircraft manufacturer, has been in crisis for years, facing a series of mishaps and six consecutive years of losses. The defense division is grappling with delays and billions in cost overruns on several projects. The F-15 fighter jet is one of the projects affected by the strike, adding to Boeing's ongoing challenges.
As the strike enters its third year, both parties continue negotiations in hopes of reaching a resolution that respects the workers' demands and secures Boeing's critical defense programmes.
- The ongoing strike by Boeing workers, who are members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, has expanded beyond the finance sector, as it also affects the general-news category, specifically the aerospace industry and the business sector, due to its impact on projects like the F-15 fighter jets and related missile systems.
- The Boeing strike, now in its third year, has recently shifted from being solely a labor dispute to incorporating elements of crime-and-justice, as union members question whether Boeing's latest offer offers fair solutions to their concerns beyond just wages, such as job security, work schedules, and benefits.
- The continuing negotiations between Boeing and the IAM District 837 extend beyond the aerospace industry and finance, as they involve discussions about critical national defense programs and the future of these projects in light of the strike's ongoing impact.
