Union Members Reject Latest Contract Offer From Boeing After Nearly 3 Months on Strike

Union members at three Midwestern Boeing defense plants voted Oct. 26 to reject the company’s latest contract offer, continuing a strike now in its 13th week.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 said in a statement that Boeing had failed to address the priorities of the plants’ workforce, who have been on strike since Aug. 4.

IAM District 837 represents 3,200 machinists at facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, and Mascoutah, Illinois. According to the union, its members build and maintain the F-15, F/A-18, and advanced missile and defense systems for the U.S. military.

“Boeing claimed they listened to their employees – the result of today’s vote proves they have not,” IAM International President Brian Bryant said. “Boeing’s corporate executives continue to insult the very people who build the world’s most advanced military aircraft — the same planes and military systems that keep our servicemembers and nation safe.”

He said that the aerospace company needed to present a fair deal for workers “that respects their skill and sacrifice.”

Boeing said in an Oct. 26 statement that it was disappointed by the outcome of the union vote, noting that the proposals were rejected by a narrow margin. The company said it has seen growing interest from machinists wanting to return to work, which it said shows that many understand the value of the company’s offer.

“We are turning our focus to executing the next phase of our contingency plan in support of our customers,” Boeing said.

IAM District 837 said it was calling for the company to agree to higher retirement plan contributions, stronger wage increases to keep up with inflation, and a larger ratification bonus, a one-time payment offered to union members after they vote to approve a new contract.

Boeing’s latest five-year contract offer includes a ratification bonus of $3,000, $3,000 in Boeing stock vested over three years, and a $1,000 retention bonus in four years. Workers were also presented with an offer of a 24 percent pay increase over five years.

F-15EX Delivery Delays

Although the strike by about 3,200 machinists at facilities in Missouri and Illinois is smaller in scale than last year’s action by workers at Boeing’s commercial airplane division in Washington and Oregon, which saw 33,000 machinists walk out, it has had an impact on the deliveries of F-15EX fighters to the U.S. Air Force.

Ahead of an Oct. 9 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing for the nomination of Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach as the Air Force’s chief of staff, the four-star general said in submitted comments that delivery of the second lot of aircraft for the F-15EX program is “delayed due to the ongoing Boeing strikes with 6 of 12 F-15EX delivered to date.”

“These delays will impact F-15EX operations at Portland [Air National Guard Base],” as well as initial delays to deliveries of the third lot of aircraft overseas in 2026, he said.

“While later than initially planned, aircraft deliveries and program milestone dates remain within the program’s acquisition baseline. If confirmed, I will work with the Service Acquisition Executive to ensure this program progresses to provide the necessary combat capability.”

On March 21, President Donald Trump announced that Boeing had been awarded the $20 billion contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation stealth fighter jet, designated the F-47.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said on Sept. 22 that the first of the craft should be ready to fly by 2028.

The F-47—previously known as the Next Generation Air Dominance platform—is envisioned to replace the F-22 Raptor as the centerpiece of the United States’ future air superiority fleet.

The program was briefly paused under the Biden administration but was revived under Trump.

Bill Pan contributed to this report.