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yesterday

Boeing Defense Machinists Launch St. Louis Strike, First Since 1996

Boeing says it is prepared to manage the stoppage without further negotiations

Pro-union stickers are pictured on a pole outside the Boeing Renton Production Facility one day before striking union members will vote on a new contract offer in Renton, Washington on November 3, 2024.
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Boeing Co. F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets sit at the Boeing Defense, Space & Security facility in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 24, 2018.

Overview

  • More than 3,200 IAM District 837 members walked off at midnight on August 4 after overwhelmingly rejecting Boeing’s revised four-year contract offer
  • The strike brought assembly of F-15 and F/A-18 fighters, the T-7 trainer and MQ-25 aerial refueling drones at plants in St. Louis, St. Charles and Mascoutah to a halt
  • Boeing’s latest proposal included a 20% general wage increase, a $5,000 ratification bonus and accelerated pension enhancements for roughly 40% average compensation growth
  • The company activated its contingency plan by deploying non-union personnel and alternate shift arrangements to sustain critical operations
  • CEO Kelly Ortberg downplayed the impact by comparing the stoppage to last year’s larger commercial jet walkout and expressing confidence in Boeing’s resilience