ST. LOUIS, July 16, 2022 — Nearly 2,500 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 working at three separate Boeing defense locations in the St. Louis area could be forced to strike following a Sunday, July 24 membership vote on the “last, best, and final” contract offer from the Boeing Co. The major areas of contention are wage increases, auto progression rates, and 401(k) gains.
The contract is set to expire on Monday, July 25 at 12:01 a.m. CT. A seven-day waiting period stipulated in the current contract means IAM members would begin picketing on Monday, Aug. 1, if they vote to reject the contract and go on strike. The membership overwhelmingly passed the strike sanction vote on June 25 by 99 percent.
The IAM bargaining committee cannot, in good conscience, recommend a contract that is not fair and equitable as the company continues to make billions of dollars each year off the backs of hard-working members on the shop floor.
“The company failed to see the membership’s needs on various issues,” said IAM District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “We continued to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting ourselves and our families at risk to maintain production and ensure Boeing obtained the T-7 trainer and MQ-25 refueling drone. We have fought and sacrificed over the years to make this company successful. It’s time Boeing returns the favor and treats us with the dignity and respect we’ve earned and rightfully deserve.”
The IAM is determined to bring home a solid contract for the men and women who build and assemble some of the world’s most advanced weapons and military aircraft.
“We will fight for a contract the membership deserves,” said Boelling. “It’s important now more than ever for our members to trust the committee they elected. Let’s stand together and show this company what solidarity looks like.”
IAM members manufacture and produce the world’s finest weapons and military aircraft, including the F-15, F-18, T-7A trainer, and MQ-25 unmanned refueler.
Full details of all changes in the proposal will be provided by IAM District 837 early next week. IAM members are spread throughout Boeing facilities in St. Charles, Mo., St. Louis, and Mascoutah, Ill.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
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