Workers at Boeing’s St. Louis-area defense facilities have overwhelmingly rejected the company’s latest contract offer, setting the stage for a potential strike. The vote took place on Sunday, with the union citing dissatisfaction over compensation and benefits, despite Boeing calling it their “richest offer ever.”
What Was in the Offer?
Boeing’s contract proposal was sent last Tuesday to over 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837. The offer included:
- A 20% general wage increase over four years
- A $5,000 ratification bonus
- Increased vacation and sick leave
Despite these terms, the union firmly rejected the proposal, stating it failed to meet workers’ priorities or reflect their sacrifices.
What the Union and Boeing Are Saying
The IAM union said the offer “fell short of addressing the priorities and sacrifices of the skilled IAM Union workforce.”
In contrast, Dan Gillian, Boeing’s Air Dominance VP and head of the St. Louis site, said in a statement:
“We’re disappointed employees voted down the richest contract offer we’ve ever presented to IAM 837… We’ve activated our contingency plan and are preparing for a strike. No further talks are currently scheduled.”
What Happens Next?
- The current contract expires on Sunday.
- After that, a seven-day cooling-off period will begin.
- If no new agreement is reached during this window, a strike is expected to begin.
Why This Matters
The dispute comes at a critical time for Boeing Defense, which is:
- Expanding its St. Louis manufacturing facilities
- Preparing to produce the F-47 fighter jet for the U.S. Air Force
- Playing a key role in the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, designed to replace the F-22 Raptor with sixth-generation fighter capabilities
A strike could delay production timelines and impact U.S. defense projects.