IAM District 837 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has issued a statement regarding its ongoing strike against Boeing in St. Louis. The union criticized Boeing’s approach to negotiations, claiming the company is refusing to adjust the economic terms of its offer.
“Since the strike began, Boeing has continued to back itself into a corner,” the message from IAM District 837 stated.
The union argues that Boeing’s unwillingness to change its position does not reflect strength or genuine bargaining but instead shows “stubbornness.” According to IAM District 837, the cost difference between their latest proposal and Boeing’s current five-year offer amounts to about $8 million more over four years. The union claims that this sum is minor compared to other company expenditures.
“Every day this strike continues, Boeing moves further away from meeting its obligations to our military and our allies, to its investors, and to taxpayers — all over $8 million spread across four years. At the same time, this company has handed out $100 million in golden parachutes to failed CEOs, reported $23 billion in third-quarter revenue, and sits on a $76 billion defense backlog,” the statement said.
IAM District 837 alleges that Boeing’s strategy aims at weakening both workers and their union: “It’s clear that the company is simply doing this to try to break you — and to break your union. It’s not going to work. And it shouldn’t be acceptable to anyone who counts on Boeing that they’re putting ego over military production and national security.”
The union called for renewed negotiations: “Boeing can’t spin or stall its way out of this. The only path forward is to sit down and negotiate with the skilled, experienced workforce that actually builds these aircraft and keeps our national defense strong.”
The message concluded by expressing readiness for further talks: “Your IAM District 837 Bargaining Committee remains ready to reach a fair and realistic agreement — one that respects your value, restores dignity on the shop floor, and gets our members back to doing the work that only you can do.
Stay strong. Stay united. Boeing chose this fight — and only bargaining in good faith will end it.”
