IAM District 837 members at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area will vote on Friday, September 19, on a union-proposed four-year contract that could end a strike involving 3,200 workers. The vote follows more than six weeks of work stoppage after the membership rejected Boeing’s previous offer and the company declined to improve its terms.
If ratified by IAM Union members, the proposal will be presented to Boeing as a pre-ratified agreement pending company approval. Should Boeing reject the union’s offer, members will remain on strike and negotiations may resume. The strike 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.”
Boeing has reported strong quarterly earnings and faces an increasing backlog of military aircraft orders. However, production disruptions from the ongoing strike have led to significant financial losses for the company due to lost output and delayed deliveries.
“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.”
The striking workers manufacture key military aircraft models such as the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and are expected to work on future projects like the F-47 fighter jet. The union proposal seeks improved 401(k) contributions comparable with other Boeing employees, increased wages for top-of-scale workers, and a ratification bonus similar to those received by other unionized or non-unionized staff at Boeing.
Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights; results are set for immediate tally following poll closure.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across multiple industries throughout North America.
