Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 will vote on Friday, September 19, on a union-proposed four-year contract in an effort to resolve a strike involving 3,200 workers at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area. The union developed this proposal after Boeing declined to improve upon a previous offer that members had rejected.
If approved by IAM members, the agreement will be presented to Boeing as a pre-ratified contract, pending the company’s acceptance. Should Boeing decline the offer, union members will remain on strike and continue negotiations. The work stoppage has lasted more than six weeks.
“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.”
The ongoing strike has disrupted production of military aircraft in St. Louis and is costing Boeing millions of dollars daily 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.”
District 837 members are responsible for building and supporting production of key aircraft models such as the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and future F-47 fighter jets.
The new proposal seeks to align 401(k) contributions with those received by other Boeing employees, increase wages for top-of-scale workers more fairly, and includes a ratification bonus similar to what other unionized or non-unionized workers at Boeing receive.
Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Results are expected immediately after polls close.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across several industries throughout North America.
