On August 4, 2025, over 3,200 Boeing defense workers in Missouri and Illinois decided their toolkits needed a break and swapped them for picket signs.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, representing these skilled folks who assemble F-15 fighter jets and other military aircraft, rejected Boeing’s latest contract offer.
Apparently, a 40% wage hike wasn’t enough to keep the wrenches turning, as disputes over pay, work schedules, and pensions sent workers to the streets at midnight.
Boeing’s Air Dominance unit vice president, Dan Gillian, sounded positively baffled, saying the company was “disappointed” that workers turned down what he called a generous offer.
Meanwhile, the IAM, with its 600,000-strong membership across aerospace and defense, wasn’t in the mood for corporate sweet talk.
Their X post shouted, “3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough,” demanding respect and dignity over what they called empty promises.
This walkout, the first at Boeing’s defense division since 1996, is giving the company’s St. Louis hub a serious case of déjà vu. Back then, workers idled for over three months, probably perfecting their picket-line dance moves.
This time, the stakes feel just as high, with production of F-15s, F/A-18s, and the snazzy new MQ-25 uncrewed refueler at risk of grinding to a halt.
Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, tried to play it cool last week, suggesting this strike is just a minor hiccup compared to last year’s 53-day passenger jet worker walkout that involved 33,000 employees and cost billions.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about the implications of the strike,” he said, probably while sipping coffee and hoping for a quick resolution. His optimism might be tested, though, as these 3,200 workers are no small potatoes—they build the planes that keep the skies safe.
The company’s been dodging turbulence for years, and this strike is just the latest gust. Between two deadly 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people and a 2024 mid-air blowout where a 737 Max’s emergency exit panel decided to go skydiving, Boeing’s reputation has taken a beating.
Add in last year’s measly delivery of 348 aircraft—the lowest since the pandemic—and it’s clear Boeing’s flying through some rough air.
The IAM isn’t backing down, with union rep Tom Boelling declaring that members “deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense.”
Sam Cicinelli, IAM’s Midwest territory vice president, doubled down, insisting workers need a deal that secures their families and honors their expertise.
It’s a bold stance, considering Boeing’s already activated a contingency plan to keep non-striking workers on the job, hoping to avoid a complete production nosedive.
Boeing’s defense plants in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Mascoutah are now the stage for this labor showdown. These sites churn out not just F-15s but also the F/A-18 Hornet and T-7A trainer, plus components for the 777X commercial jet.
With the upcoming F-47 stealth fighter slated for production in the area, any prolonged strike could throw a wrench into Boeing’s already shaky timeline.
The company’s no stranger to labor disputes, but this one’s hitting at a bad time. Boeing’s racked up $42.2 billion in losses since mid-2019, thanks to those 737 Max crashes and ongoing delivery delays, including the next-gen Air Force One.
A prolonged strike could make investors sweat more than a pilot landing in a crosswind.
While Boeing’s contingency plan might keep some production limping along, the absence of 3,200 skilled workers is bound to cause headaches.
The IAM’s last strike in 1996 lasted 99 days, and nobody’s betting on this one wrapping up over a long weekend. Workers are digging in, and Boeing’s got to figure out how to land this labor deal without crashing.
The aviation giant’s got a history of bouncing back, but this strike’s testing its resilience. Will Boeing sweeten the deal, or will workers keep their picket signs aloft? For now, St. Louis is the place to watch, as machinists trade their hard hats for a shot at better pay and pensions.
Leave a Reply