The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Boeing, alleging the company has refused to bargain in good faith with over 3,200 union members. These members, part of IAM District 837, have been on strike since August 4 at Boeing facilities in the St. Louis area.
According to the IAM Union, since mid-September, Boeing has rejected several union proposals without offering any counter proposals to address member concerns. The union claims this violates Boeing’s legal obligation to negotiate in good faith under the National Labor Relations Act. The union also notes that its membership passed a pre-ratified offer on September 19, which was intended to end the strike and allow workers to return.
Instead, Boeing has stated, “there is no more coming” and “no matter how long the strike lasts, the economics won’t change.” The union argues these statements show a refusal to negotiate and says the ongoing strike is delaying important aircraft deliveries to the U.S. Air Force. Boeing has reportedly attempted to hire replacement workers, but the union claims these workers do not have the necessary qualifications for building advanced military jets and weapons systems.
The dispute follows Boeing’s recent acquisition of the F-47 contract, a major U.S. defense program. The union points out that while Boeing benefits from taxpayer-funded contracts, it has not agreed to invest more in its workforce. The union estimates that one F-15 fighter jet costs about $100 million, while the additional cost of their pre-ratified offer would total $50 million over four years.
“These men and women have decades of skill, experience, and dedication,” said IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Boeing’s CEO is paid tens of millions of dollars, while the workers who build our military jets are being told to settle for less than they deserve. That’s unacceptable — and people on both sides of the aisle in Congress are taking notice. Lawmakers from both parties have called on Boeing to negotiate in good faith, because this strike and the company’s refusal to bargain are hurting our national defense.”
“IAM Union members put forward a fair, responsible proposal that would have ended this strike,” said IAM Union Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “Boeing’s refusal to even respond with an improved offer is an insult to every worker who builds this nation’s defense aircraft — and to the taxpayers footing the bill for the company’s delays. And let’s be clear: it’s our IAM Union members, not corporate executives or union officials, who will ultimately decide their future. That’s what democracy in our union looks like.”
“This strike is about respect and fairness,” said IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “Our members are standing up for their families, their future, and for fair treatment at the bargaining table. Boeing’s delays are hurting its own production, putting critical defense contracts at risk, and showing that you can’t replace skilled union labor with untrained temps. The company needs to come back to the table now.”
The IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various industries in the United States and Canada.
