More than 3,200 members of IAM District 837 remain on strike at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area, with support from union allies and labor leaders across the country. The strike began on August 4 after contract negotiations between the union and Boeing reached an impasse.
IAM District 837 has submitted a four-year contract proposal ratified by its membership to Boeing. The union states that it is now up to the company to respond in order to resolve the dispute.
At a recent rally, IAM International President Brian Bryant addressed Boeing directly: “I’m here to tell Boeing: you are not just fighting 3,200 workers. You are fighting 600,000 IAM Union members across North America,” said Bryant. “You are fighting millions more across the labor movement. And you are fighting a community that will never be broken!”
The striking workers build and maintain military aircraft such as the F-15 and F/A-18, as well as advanced missile and defense systems for U.S. national security. Labor leaders argue that failure to reach a fair agreement threatens both worker livelihoods and military readiness.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler commented on executive compensation at Boeing: “We’re seeing this everywhere, and it’s called corporate greed. These are attacks on our dignity,” said Shuler. “If Boeing can afford to give $100 million in golden parachutes to failed CEOs, then they can afford to pay your workers a fair share of the wealth we create.”
IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli emphasized unity among workers: “Every picket line, picket sign, and every hour we hold this line is a message to everyone in this country that – we will not be silenced, we will not be divided, and we will not back down!” said Cicinelli. “The Midwest Territory is with you. The IAM International is with you. And the entire labor movement is with you!”
IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett also spoke about the importance of recognizing skilled labor: “You build the F-15. You build the F/A-18. You’re going to build the F-47. You build the systems that defend this nation,” said Bennett. “That is world-class work. And world-class work deserves world-class respect!”
The rally was hosted by IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling and featured participation from Missouri labor leaders as well as representatives from other regions who have experienced similar disputes with Boeing.
Jon Holden, President of IAM District 751 in Washington state—who previously led over 30,000 members through a lengthy strike at Boeing—joined St. Louis workers in solidarity alongside Jake Hummel of the Missouri AFL-CIO; Patrick Kellett of the St. Louis Labor Council; and John Dimas of SPEEA representing engineering employees.
Support for District 837 has come from unions nationwide as well as local elected officials and community organizations, reinforcing calls for equal treatment regarding pay and retirement benefits for all Boeing employees.
