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 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’s St. Louis area facilities.
According to the union, Boeing has rejected several proposals from the IAM since mid-September without making any counter offers. The union states this violates the company’s legal obligation to negotiate under the National Labor Relations Act. IAM members had passed a pre-ratified offer on September 19 aimed at ending the strike and returning to work, but Boeing did not engage with the proposal.
Boeing reportedly told the union, “there is no more coming” and “no matter how long the strike lasts, the economics won’t change.” The union claims these statements demonstrate Boeing’s refusal to negotiate and notes that the ongoing dispute is delaying key aircraft deliveries to the U.S. Air Force. The IAM also says Boeing’s attempts to hire replacement workers have been unsuccessful due to a lack of qualified candidates.
The strike follows Boeing’s recent award of the F-47 contract, a significant defense program for the U.S. The IAM argues that while Boeing benefits from taxpayer-funded contracts, it is not investing adequately in its workforce. The union estimates that one F-15 fighter jet costs about $100 million, while the cost of its pre-ratified offer would be about $50 million over four years.
“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 across a range of industries in North America.
