Boeing Workers Go on Strike Over Contract Offer

On Monday, over 3,200 union workers who assemble Boeing fighter jets in the St. Louis, Missouri area and parts of Illinois began a strike. This action followed their rejection of a second contract offer just a day earlier.

Boeing Defense stated that it’s prepared to stop production and has a contingency plan to utilize non-union workers in response to the strike.

The rejected four-year contract proposal promised an approximate 40% wage increase. This included a general wage bump of 20% and a $5,000 ratification bonus. Additionally, it aimed to enhance regular pay raises and offered more leave and sick leave hours.

Dan Gillian, the Vice President and General Manager at the St. Louis facility, noted in a statement that the offer was quite similar to the initial one, which had also been decisively turned down a week prior.

Tom Boring, Principal of District 837, emphasized the importance of a contract that reflects the skills and dedication of the members, who play a significant role in national defense.

In a conference regarding second-quarter earnings, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg seemed to downplay the impact of the strike. He mentioned that the company is capable of managing the situation, referring to a previous seven-week strike involving district 751, which had produced over 33,000 commercial jets last year.

District 837 workers, involved in aerial refueling drones for the US Navy, also contribute to the manufacturing of Boeing F-15 and F/A-18 fighters, T-7 trainers, and MQ-25s.

Furthermore, Boeing’s defense sector is currently expanding its St. Louis facility to produce new F-47A fighter planes, having secured a contract this year. Meanwhile, district 751 recently concluded its strike with the acceptance of a four-year contract that offered a 38% wage increase.