Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
4d ago

St. Louis Boeing Machinists Reject Contract, Clearing Path for August Strike

Union members deemed the 20% pay increase proposal insufficient, prompting Boeing to pause negotiations, ready contingency plans before the August 4 strike window

Pro-union signs are pictured outside the Boeing Renton Production Facility on November 3, 2024. More than 3,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in the St. Louis area voted on Sunday to go on strike.
FILE - The Boeing logo is displayed at the company's factory, Sept. 24, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
FILE - A truck displays a small strike sign in the parking lot of the Aerospace Machinists Union hall as Boeing employees arrive to vote on a new contract offer from the company, Nov. 4, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, file)
Image

Overview

  • More than 3,200 District 837 machinists at three St. Louis-area plants voted overwhelmingly against a four-year deal that included a 20% wage increase and improvements to medical, pension and overtime benefits.
  • The previous contract expired at 11:59 p.m. Central Sunday, triggering a federally mandated seven-day cooling-off period that bars any strike until August 4.
  • Despite union leaders’ endorsement of the offer as a “landmark” agreement, rank-and-file members said it fell short of addressing their priorities and sacrifices.
  • Boeing has halted further bargaining sessions and activated contingency measures to sustain fighter jet production if workers walk off after the cooling-off period.
  • District 837 machinists assemble U.S. Navy Super Hornets and Air Force Red Hawk trainers, making defense output a key revenue stream for Boeing during ongoing labor tensions.