ST. LOUIS, MO – Over 3,200 unionized employees at Boeing’s St. Louis defense facility are set to begin a strike at midnight Monday,July 29,2024,after rejecting the company’s latest contract proposal. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 announced the decision Sunday evening, citing insufficient compensation and benefits.
The workers are responsible for the final assembly of Boeing’s F-15,F/A-18,and EA-18G fighter jets,as well as the MQ-25 Stingray,an unmanned aerial refueling drone currently under growth for the U.S. Navy. The facility, located in St. Charles County, missouri, is a critical component of the nation’s defense industrial base.
IAM Business Representative Tom Boelling stated that union members “deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense.” The union previously rejected an earlier contract offer, deeming it inadequate to address their concerns.
Boeing responded to the initial rejection last week by submitting a revised offer that included minor compensation adjustments primarily benefiting longer-tenured employees. The revised proposal maintained existing overtime policies,a point of contention in the previous offer where Boeing had sought modifications. Though, this revised offer proved insufficient to secure a ratification vote in favor.
This strike marks the first labor stoppage at Boeing’s St.Louis defense operations as 1996. The timing is particularly significant as Boeing is actively expanding its manufacturing footprint in the region to accommodate production of the F-47 fighter, a next-generation aircraft recently selected by the U.S.Air Force under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The company anticipates adding hundreds of jobs in the coming years to support this expansion, with initial construction on new facilities already underway at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
The potential impact of the strike on defense production timelines remains unclear. Boeing’s defense division, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and led by President and CEO ted Colbert, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the impending work stoppage.A request for comment from Boeing outside of regular business hours was not instantly answered. The U.S.Department of Defense has been briefed on the situation, according to sources within the IAM.
The IAM District 837 represents approximately 3,200 production and support employees at the St. Louis facility.Negotiations between the union and Boeing began in June 2024, focusing on issues including wages, healthcare benefits, retirement security, and job security. The current contract expired at midnight on July 28, 2024.
