Boeing Defense employees go on strike
(MENAFN) Thousands of Boeing Defense workers have gone on strike, threatening major disruptions to the production of U.S. military aircraft. The walkout began after contract talks broke down on Sunday, affecting facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, as well as Mascoutah, Illinois.
The strike impacts the manufacturing of critical defense systems, including the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the MQ-25 Stingray drone, and other advanced weaponry. Boeing’s upcoming F-47 stealth fighter is also planned for the St. Louis region, though the company has not yet clarified whether unionized labor will be involved in its production.
Around 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) are participating in the strike. The union rejected Boeing’s latest four-year contract proposal, which included improved scheduling terms. This follows a previous rejection of a July offer that would have increased wages by up to 40% for many employees.
“IAM District 837 members have made it clear—they want a contract that values their skills and contributions to national defense,” said IAM representative Tom Boelling. IAM Midwest Territory Vice President Sam Cicinelli echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the workers’ demand for job security and recognition of their expertise.
Boeing executive Dan Gillian, head of Air Dominance and senior official at the St. Louis facility, expressed regret over the strike but assured that a contingency plan is in place. He stated that non-striking personnel will continue operations to support customers.
The strike comes amid broader challenges for Boeing, which has faced intense scrutiny over safety concerns with its commercial aircraft and delays in key government projects, including the next Air Force One. The company has suffered operational losses totaling $42.2 billion since mid-2019, mostly due to the 737 Max disasters and subsequent grounding. Still, Boeing reported a reduced second-quarter loss of $611 million, signaling gradual recovery.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
