Workers at nearly 3200 fighter jet manufacturing facilities have declined the proposed tariff agreement
In a significant development, approximately 3,200 Boeing employees in Missouri and Illinois have announced plans to go on strike, starting from August 2025. These workers, who are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 837, build military aircraft and missile systems at Boeing's plants in St. Louis, St. Charles, Missouri, and Mascoutah, Illinois [1][2][3].
The heart of the collective bargaining dispute is the rejection of Boeing's proposed four-year contract. The initial offer included a 20% wage increase over four years and $5,000 ratification bonuses. However, the union viewed this offer as insufficient, primarily because it did not address their concerns over work scheduling and overtime pay [1][2].
In an attempt to resolve the issue, Boeing revised its offer to feature a 40% average wage growth over four years and sought to remove a scheduling provision limiting overtime pay eligibility. Yet, this revised offer was also rejected by the workers [1][2].
The IAM union has emphasised that workers deserve a contract that safeguards their families' financial security and recognises their professional expertise [1][3]. Boeing, on the other hand, has expressed disappointment but has prepared for the strike and activated contingency plans to keep non-striking operations running [1][2][3].
Union president Brian Bryant stated that the members have the right to demand a contract that matches their work, while Dan Gillian, Vice President of Boeing Air Dominance and head of the St. Louis plant, expressed disappointment at the offer rejection [1][2].
This strike is one of the most significant at Boeing's defense sector since 1996, reflecting ongoing tensions over wages, work conditions, and recognition of skilled labor [3][4].
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | Union | International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 837 | | Number of workers | Approx. 3,200 | | Locations | St. Louis, St. Charles (MO), Mascoutah (IL) | | Industry sector | Defense manufacturing (military aircraft and missile systems) | | Original wage offer | 20% increase over 4 years + $5,000 ratification bonuses | | Revised wage offer | 40% average wage growth over 4 years, removal of restrictive scheduling provisions | | Main union demands | Higher wage increases, better scheduling and overtime pay conditions, family security | | Strike timing | Began August 2025 after rejecting modified contract | | Boeing’s response | Disappointed but has contingency plans implemented |
Sources: 1. ntv.de 2. AFP 3. Reuters 4. Bloomberg
- The union, in their continued pursuit of a contract that reflects their professional expertise and safeguards their families' financial security, has expressed a need for increased wage growth, improved scheduling and overtime pay conditions in the community policy, particularly when considering vocational training and industry-specific skill sets.
- In light of the forthcoming strike by approximately 3,200 Boeing workers, the company has activated contingency plans to ensure non-striking operations run smoothly in sectors such as defense manufacturing, finance, and aerospace, with an aim to mitigate any negative impact on their aerospace projects and related vocational training programs.
