Boeing Defense Workers Strike After Rejecting Contract Offer

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Thousands of Boeing defense workers walked off the job at midnight on August 4 after voting down a proposed four-year labor agreement. The strike involves around 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, who build military aircraft at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, and Mascoutah, Illinois.

The union confirmed that the contract offer included a 40 percent average wage increase, a 20 percent general raise, a $5,000 ratification bonus, and improved vacation and sick leave. Despite these provisions, workers cited concerns over scheduling, job security, and long-term protections for skilled trades as reasons for rejecting the deal.

Boeing, anticipating the strike, said it had contingency plans in place and would keep operations running with non-union employees. Company leadership downplayed the potential impact, noting that the current walkout is significantly smaller than the widespread machinist strike in 2024, which involved over 30,000 workers.

Sam Cicinelli, General Vice President of IAM’s Midwest Territory, stated, “IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defense systems that keep our country safe. They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise.”

This is the first time Boeing’s defense workforce has staged a strike since 1996, before its merger with McDonnell Douglas. The disruption affects production of critical U.S. defense assets, including the F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Super Hornet, T-7 trainer, and the MQ-25 aerial refueling drone.

Boeing’s defense division accounts for nearly a third of its total revenue. The St. Louis region is also expected to play a central role in building the next-generation F-47 fighter jet under the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Delays caused by the strike could potentially affect timelines for future military aircraft deliveries.

The dispute comes as Boeing continues to manage broader challenges, including safety scrutiny over its commercial aircraft and fallout from previous labor actions. The 2024 machinists’ strike resulted in historic wage gains but exposed ongoing tensions between Boeing and its workforce.