Union workers at Boeing’s St. Louis-area defense plants voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s latest contract offer.
The vote affects 3,200+ members of the IAM District 837 who build fighter jets.
Contract Offer Details:
20% wage increase over four years.
$5,000 ratification bonus.
More vacation and sick leave.
Boeing called it the “richest contract” ever offered to this union.
Why It Was Rejected:
The union says the offer fails to address the priorities and sacrifices of its skilled workforce.
No further negotiation talks are currently scheduled.
Strike Timeline:
The current contract expires Sunday.
A seven-day cooling-off period follows before a strike can begin.
Boeing has activated a contingency plan in preparation.
Bigger Implications:
Boeing is ramping up production for the new U.S. Air Force F-47 fighter jet, under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, intended to replace the F-22 Raptor.
A strike could delay critical defense contracts and disrupt production timelines.
Company Statement:
Boeing’s VP of Air Dominance Dan Gillian said the company is “disappointed” and preparing for a strike.
