More than 3,000 Boeing workers across multiple US states have walked off the job, launching a strike over stalled contract talks — and demanding better wages, job security, and respect for their work on critical military equipment.
The strike kicked off Monday at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, and Mascoutah, Illinois, after members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) overwhelmingly voted to reject the company’s latest contract offer.
“We build the aircraft and defense systems that keep this country safe,” said Sam Cicinelli, vice president of the union’s Midwest division. “Our members deserve a contract that values their families and their skills.”
The rejected deal included a 20% pay bump over four years and a $5,000 signing bonus. But union members said it didn’t go far enough — especially after Boeing refused to improve on the wage offer and removed a key provision that would’ve impacted how workers qualify for overtime.
Boeing, for its part, said it’s disappointed by the outcome.
“We offered 40% average wage growth and addressed their top concern about alternative work schedules,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance VP. He added that Boeing has rolled out a contingency plan to keep production moving with a non-striking workforce.
The striking workers are part of Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division, which makes up over a third of the company’s revenue. While Boeing says the walkout is unlikely to have the same impact as last year’s strike involving 33,000 commercial aircraft workers, it still puts pressure on the company at a time when its defense projects are under close watch.
The current strike follows a weeklong cooling-off period after an earlier offer was also rejected by the workers.
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