Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 will vote Friday, September 19, on a union-proposed four-year contract to end their strike at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area. The vote follows more than six weeks of picketing by 3,200 workers after an earlier contract offer from Boeing was rejected.
The union’s proposal comes after Boeing declined to improve its previous offer. If IAM members approve the new deal, it will be submitted to Boeing for acceptance. Should Boeing reject the pre-ratified agreement, the strike will continue and members will return to negotiations.
“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 key defense production at Boeing’s St. Louis facilities, causing delays and financial losses estimated in the millions each day due to lost output and late deliveries. This disruption comes as Boeing posts strong quarterly earnings and faces a growing backlog of military aircraft orders.
“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.”
IAM District 837 workers assemble and support production lines for several major military aircraft models: F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and future F-47 fighter jets. The proposed contract would adjust 401(k) contributions for parity with other Boeing employees, increase wages especially for top-of-scale members, and offer a ratification bonus comparable to those received by other unionized or non-union workers at Boeing.
Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Friday 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 various industries in North America.
