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Boeing Defense Workers Reject Latest Contract Offer, Strike Continues
Berkeley, MO – The strike at Boeing Defense is entering its seventh week as workers rejected the company’s latest contract offer on Friday. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, numbering approximately 3,200, walked off the job on August 4th after initially rejecting a contract proposal.
These St. Louis-area employees are responsible for assembling fighter jets and other military products for the company.
IAM International President Brian Bryant expressed solidarity with the striking workers, stating, “Our members in St. Louis have once again shown that they will not settle for Boeing’s half-measures.
Boeing must start listening to its employees and come back to the table with a meaningful offer that respects the sacrifices and skill of these workers.” A key point of contention appears to be the retirement plan contributions and ratification bonus offered, which are less than those accepted last year by IAM District 751 members who work on Boeing’s commercial jets.
Boeing Defense Vice President Dan Gillian expressed disappointment with the rejection, highlighting the offer’s “45% average wage growth” over five years. He emphasized that the “overall economic framework” of the offer is final, although adjustments have been made based on feedback. With no further talks currently scheduled, Gillian confirmed the company’s intention to hire permanent replacement workers.