New Offer Rejected, Boeing Defense Strike Continues

Striking Boeing Defense workers rejected a third contract proposal by the manufacturer on Friday, September 12, meaning the walkout will continue by about 3,200 members of the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union. The IAM reported the latest offer was voted down by 57% of their members, who began their strike on August 4.

The same union represented about 10 times as many Boeing Commercial Airplanes workers through a nearly two month-long strike in September and October 2024.

The current strike affects three plants - in St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill. - where Boeing Defense assembles fighter aircraft including the F-15 and F/A-18, and other missile and defense systems.

Boeing has continued operating those plants with non-union employees, but earlier this month it announced it would begin hiring permanent replacement workers.

“We’re disappointed our employees have rejected a five-year offer, including 45% average wage growth," according to a statement by Boeing v.p. and general manager Dan Gillian. “We’ve made clear the overall economic framework of our offer will not change, but we have consistently adjusted the offer based on employee and union feedback to better address their concerns.”

Boeing’s initial proposal was known to be a four-year agreement that included a 20% general wage increase and $5,000 signing bonus for every worker. According to the manufacturer, the wage increase and the value of other benefits gained by that offer would result in compensation increases of about 40%.

The modified offer is reported to have been a five-year proposal, but other details are unavailable.

The IAM stated Boeing did not offer a sufficient signing bonus relative to what other Boeing workers have received, or a raise in 401(k) benefits. The union is apparently referring to the agreement it reached with Boeing Commercial Airplanes in October 2024, following a seven-week strike by more than 30,000 workers.