Boeing reported $23 billion in revenue for the third quarter of 2025 and announced it is cash-flow positive for the first time since 2023. The company also disclosed a defense backlog valued at $76 billion. However, these results come amid an ongoing strike by more than 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 in St. Louis.
IAM District 837 members are responsible for building and supporting key defense programs, including the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and the upcoming F-47 fighter jet. The ongoing labor dispute has contributed to delays in delivering F-15EX aircraft, a situation publicly acknowledged by the U.S. Air Force.
During Boeing’s third-quarter earnings call, company executives discussed the impact of the strike and outlined contingency plans to address its effects. They also spoke about efforts to build a new corporate culture.
“Boeing’s so-called contingency plan is failing because they can’t replace the skill, precision, and experience of IAM Union members in St. Louis who have spent their careers building the world’s most advanced military products,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “If Boeing is serious about culture change and rebuilding its brand, it starts with respecting the people who make its success possible — not trying to sideline them. Investors must also take into account Boeing’s continued failure to manage labor relations responsibly. The company’s refusal to engage in fair bargaining is not only hurting workers and national defense programs — it’s a risk to Boeing’s long-term stability, reputation, and credibility.”
Boeing noted plans for future investments in its St. Louis operations after securing the contract for the F-47 fighter jet. This contract win highlights the skills of IAM union members.
“The workers whose craftsmanship and innovation made these investments possible deserve to share fully in the prosperity they’ve helped create,” Bryant added.
IAM union members across Boeing’s commercial aviation facilities continue to contribute to production as the company recovers from recent challenges.
“Boeing’s executives can talk about transformation all they want, but the real transformation begins when they treat all employees as one Boeing,” Bryant continued. “The company hasn’t delivered a single new F-15 during this 13-week strike, and production delays are now rippling into the 777X program. It’s time for Boeing to end this strike, get our members back to work, and live up to the values they claim to be rebuilding.”
Negotiations between IAM District 837 and Boeing remain at an impasse. On Monday, IAM presented a modified contract proposal that included concessions on retirement benefits; Boeing rejected this offer without making a counterproposal. As a result, IAM filed a second Unfair Labor Practice charge against Boeing over claims of refusing to bargain in good faith.
The strike has drawn attention from lawmakers. Sixteen bipartisan members of the House Armed Services Committee urged Boeing on Wednesday to negotiate in good faith due to concerns over worsening delivery delays and national security risks.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents around 600,000 active and retired workers across various industries in North America.
