A Boeing Co. T-X trainer aircraft is seen at the Boeing Defense, Space & Security facility in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., on Monday, July 24, 2018. Capping off a contentious contracting tussle with President Donald Trump, Boeing Co. received a $3.9 billion contract to continue development, modification and testing of two new aircraft to serve as Air Force One, according to two people familiar with the decision. Photographer: Alex Flynn/Bloomberg via Getty Images A Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security Testing & Production Facility Amid $3.9 Billion New Air Force One Contract
URGENT UPDATE: Union members at Boeing’s St. Louis facility have rejected the company’s latest contract offer and are set to strike at midnight on Monday. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced this decision, emphasizing that the workers deserve a contract that honors their skill and critical role in national defense.
Tom Boelling, Business Representative of IAM District 837, stated, “Members … deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense.” The union represents 3,200 employees who assemble Boeing’s fighter jets and the innovative MQ-25 aerial refueling drone.
Boeing has confirmed its readiness for the impending strike. Dan Gillian, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Air Dominance, expressed disappointment in the rejection of an offer featuring 40% average wage growth. In a statement to Reuters, he asserted, “We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan.”
The rejected proposal included a 20% general wage increase over four years, a $5,000 ratification bonus, and improvements in vacation and sick leave policies. Despite these incentives, the union deemed the offer insufficient and declined a subsequent proposal that included minor compensation changes aimed at benefiting senior members.
As the strike looms, the impact on production is significant. Boeing’s defense division is in the process of expanding its manufacturing facilities in St. Louis, particularly for the new F-47A fighter for the U.S. Air Force, following a recent contract win. This strike will be much smaller than the previous one in the fall, when 33,000 machinists at Boeing’s commercial division walked out for nearly two months, ending with a contract that included a 38% wage increase.
As workers prepare to walk out, the stakes are high, not just for Boeing but for the broader defense sector that relies on these skilled laborers. The situation is developing rapidly, and all eyes will be on St. Louis as the clock counts down to midnight.
Stay tuned for updates as this critical labor action unfolds, with potential implications for both Boeing’s operations and national defense capabilities. The urgency of this strike reflects deeper issues within labor relations in the aerospace sector, making it a pivotal moment for workers’ rights and corporate accountability.
