IAM District 837 members at Boeing Defense in St. Louis will vote on Friday, September 19, on a union-proposed four-year contract offer aimed at settling the ongoing strike of approximately 3,200 workers. The union developed this proposal after Boeing declined to improve its previously rejected offer.
If the membership ratifies the proposal, it will be presented to Boeing as a pre-ratified agreement, pending the company’s acceptance. Should Boeing reject the offer, union members will remain on strike and be prepared to resume negotiations. The work stoppage will continue until an agreement is reached.
“Our members’ solidarity and determination are the reason we’ve been able to put forward this creative path to settlement,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Boeing needs to recognize that this workforce is the backbone of its defense operations, and the community is standing with these families until they achieve a fair contract.”
The ongoing strike has disrupted defense production at Boeing’s St. Louis facilities and is causing significant financial losses due to delayed deliveries and lost output. This situation occurs despite strong financial performance from Boeing and increased demand for military aircraft.
“IAM Union members have been critical to Boeing’s success — including the recent commitment to build the F-47 right here in St. Louis,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “They build world-class military aircraft, they’ve helped deliver Boeing billions in defense contracts, and they’ve earned a contract that reflects that value.”
IAM District 837 workers are responsible for building several major military aircraft models such as the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and are set to work on future projects like the F-47 fighter jet.
Key provisions in the union’s latest proposal include aligning 401(k) contributions with those received by other Boeing employees, increasing wages for top-of-scale workers more equitably, and offering a ratification bonus similar to what both unionized and non-unionized workers receive elsewhere within Boeing.
Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights; results are expected shortly after polls close.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various industries in North America.
