Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 in St. Louis have rejected Boeing’s latest contract proposal, calling it “disrespectful” and lacking in key areas such as retirement security, ratification bonuses, and wage growth.
According to a statement from the IAM Union Bargaining Committee, negotiations with Boeing were held over two days with federal mediators. The union members have been on strike for 79 days without pay or healthcare. The committee said, “After all this time, the company came back with a five-year offer that was nothing short of disrespectful to our members. The company made an offer that had no meaningful improvements in the areas our members have told us and the company they care about – retirement security, ratification bonus and top-of-scale wage growth. The company has insisted on a fifth year, despite adding no additional value to the fifth year.”
The union also raised concerns about Boeing’s proposed “return to work” agreement. The statement noted, “the company’s ‘return to work’ agreement included language allowing managers and non-union workers to perform our members’ work for the first 30 days back on the job. The company also wants to terminate any member who doesn’t immediately return to work, despite the fact that many of our members have taken other jobs to support their families during the strike. That is absolutely unacceptable.”
IAM District 837 emphasized that its members had already passed a pre-ratified offer in September intended to end the strike and provide Boeing with workforce assurance. However, according to the union, Boeing has not responded positively to this proposal.
The statement continued: “This isn’t ‘Midwest Manufacturing,’ our members build the most advanced military aircraft in the world – the aircraft and military systems that keep our servicemembers and allies safe. These are not replaceable jobs. Our members deserve to be treated with the same respect and value that Boeing gives to every part of the so-called ‘One Boeing’ family the company always talks about.”
The union also referenced recent discussions on Capitol Hill regarding Boeing’s labor practices: “As we heard today on Capitol Hill, Boeing’s greed and disdain for the very employees who make its success possible is on full display. It’s long past time for Boeing to show some respect for its workforce and come to the table with a reasonable offer that recognizes your skill, dedication and experience, as well as the value you bring to this company and our nation.”
The message concluded by urging union members to remain united: “Stay strong and stay united on the picket line. Together, we will continue to fight for the fair contract you deserve.”
