The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against Boeing, alleging the company has refused to bargain in good faith with more than 3,200 IAM District 837 members. These workers have been on strike since August 4 at Boeing facilities in the St. Louis area.
According to the union, since mid-September, Boeing has rejected several union proposals without making counter offers that address the concerns of its members. The union states this is a violation of Boeing’s legal obligation to negotiate in good faith under the National Labor Relations Act. IAM membership passed a pre-ratified offer on September 19 intended to end the strike and allow workers to return, but Boeing did not engage with the proposal.
Boeing has reportedly stated, “there is no more coming” and “no matter how long the strike lasts, the economics won’t change.” The union claims these statements show the company’s refusal to negotiate and that this stance is causing delays in delivering critical aircraft to the U.S. Air Force. The IAM also notes that Boeing’s attempts to hire replacement workers have not succeeded, as the replacements lack the qualifications needed to build advanced military jets and weapons systems.
The ongoing strike follows Boeing’s recent award of the F-47 contract, a significant U.S. defense program that relies on the skills of IAM Union members. The union argues that despite Boeing’s success with taxpayer-funded defense contracts, the company is not willing to invest in its workforce.
IAM Union representatives point out that while one F-15 fighter jet costs about $100 million, the additional cost of the union’s pre-ratified offer would be approximately $50 million over four years. They argue this would be a modest investment to resolve the strike and keep defense programs on schedule.
“These men and women have decades of skill, experience, and dedication,” said IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Boeing’s CEO is paid tens of millions of dollars, while the workers who build our military jets are being told to settle for less than they deserve. That’s unacceptable — and people on both sides of the aisle in Congress are taking notice. Lawmakers from both parties have called on Boeing to negotiate in good faith, because this strike and the company’s refusal to bargain are hurting our national defense.”
“IAM Union members put forward a fair, responsible proposal that would have ended this strike,” said IAM Union Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “Boeing’s refusal to even respond with an improved offer is an insult to every worker who builds this nation’s defense aircraft — and to the taxpayers footing the bill for the company’s delays. And let’s be clear: it’s our IAM Union members, not corporate executives or union officials, who will ultimately decide their future. That’s what democracy in our union looks like.”
“This strike is about respect and fairness,” said IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “Our members are standing up for their families, their future, and for fair treatment at the bargaining table. Boeing’s delays are hurting its own production, putting critical defense contracts at risk, and showing that you can’t replace skilled union labor with untrained temps. The company needs to come back to the table now.”
The IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members in industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and others across the United States and Canada.
