More than 3,200 members of IAM District 837 remain on strike at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area, with union and labor leaders rallying to support their demands for a new contract. The strike began on August 4 after negotiations between the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and Boeing stalled over contract terms.
The union has submitted a four-year contract proposal ratified by its membership, but Boeing has yet to reach an agreement. IAM International President Brian Bryant addressed the crowd at a recent rally, stating, “I’m here to tell Boeing: you are not just fighting 3,200 workers. You are fighting 600,000 IAM Union members across North America. You are fighting millions more across the labor movement. And you are fighting a community that will never be broken!”
Members of IAM District 837 work on critical military projects such as the F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft as well as advanced missile systems used by U.S. defense forces. Labor leaders argue that Boeing’s refusal to negotiate threatens both workers’ economic security and national defense readiness.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler criticized executive compensation at Boeing during her remarks: “We’re seeing this everywhere, and it’s called corporate greed. These are attacks on our dignity,” she said. “If Boeing can afford to give $100 million in golden parachutes to failed CEOs, then they can afford to pay your workers a fair share of the wealth we create.”
IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli also spoke at the event: “Every picket line, picket sign, and every hour we hold this line is a message to everyone in this country that – we will not be silenced, we will not be divided, and we will not back down! The Midwest Territory is with you. The IAM International is with you. And the entire labor movement is with you!”
Jody Bennett, Resident General Vice President of IAM, praised the work done by striking members: “You build the F-15. You build the F/A-18. You’re going to build the F-47. You build the systems that defend this nation,” Bennett said. “That is world-class work. And world-class work deserves world-class respect!”
The rally was organized by Tom Boelling, Directing Business Representative for IAM District 837, and included participation from Missouri AFL-CIO President Jake Hummel; Patrick Kellett from the St. Louis Labor Council; Jon Holden from IAM District 751; and John Dimas from SPEEA.
Union officials say support continues to grow among local unions and community organizations who want improved pay and retirement benefits for all Boeing employees nationwide.
