At Boeing’s defense facility in St. Louis, 3,200 workers have been on strike since August 4, demanding higher wages and improved retirement benefits. The strike has completely halted production of F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets. Workers are calling for a contract similar to the one recently signed with employees in the Seattle region.
Company Stands by Offer
Dan Gillian, Boeing’s St. Louis site manager, defended the company’s proposal, which was rejected by the workers. The offer included a 20% general wage increase, a $5,000 signing bonus, and additional vacation and sick leave. Gillian stated, “Our offer was strong then, and it remains strong now, providing an average 40% wage growth.”
Union Demands
Brian Bryant, President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), said that workers are seeking higher overall pay increases, faster advancement to the top of the pay scale, and improvements to the 401(k) retirement plan. Bryant added, “Realistically, Boeing will need to bring the same terms to the table as it did in Seattle.”
Seattle Agreement as Benchmark
In November, a four-year contract was signed with roughly 33,000 Boeing workers in the Seattle area. The agreement included a 38% overall wage increase, higher retirement contributions, reinstatement of annual bonuses, a $12,000 signing bonus, and a commitment that any new commercial jet programs would be manufactured in Seattle. St. Louis workers have stated they will not return to production until an agreement of similar scope is reached.
