More than 3,000 unionized workers at Boeing’s defense facilities in Missouri and Illinois began a strike on Monday, rejecting the company’s latest contract offer. The employees, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), are responsible for building military aircraft, including the F-15 fighter jet.
The union cited concerns over wages, pension plans, and scheduling practices as key reasons for the walkout. “3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough. This is about respect and dignity, not empty promises,” IAM stated on X.
Boeing said it was disappointed by the outcome of the vote. “We’re disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth,” said Dan Gillian, vice president of the Air Dominance unit at Boeing.
This is the first strike at Boeing’s defense division since 1996, when a work stoppage lasted more than three months.
Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, played down the impact of the latest strike, noting it involves fewer workers than last year’s walkout of about 30,000 employees from the company’s commercial aviation division—a disruption that led to significant financial losses. “I wouldn't worry too much about the implications of the strike. We'll manage our way through that,” Ortberg said.
The company continues to grapple with multiple challenges across its business units. In recent years, Boeing has faced scrutiny over safety incidents, including two fatal 737 Max crashes in Indonesia (2018) and Ethiopia (2019), and a mid-air panel blowout on a 737 Max in 2024.
In 2024, Boeing delivered 348 aircraft—its lowest annual total since the COVID-19 pandemic.