More than 3,000 Boeing defense workers who have been on strike since August 4 are preparing to vote on a revised contract proposal that brings the company closer to meeting their demands. The crucial vote scheduled for Thursday could potentially end one of the longest labor disputes in the aerospace sector.
Revised Contract Details and Union Endorsement
Boeing's latest offer, which has received endorsement from IAM District 837 union leaders, includes a significant $6,000 upfront ratification bonus. This represents a substantial improvement over the previous proposal that offered a $3,000 signing bonus plus $3,000 in restricted stock.
The workers had narrowly rejected an earlier contract on October 26, which also included a $1,000 retention bonus in the fourth year that has now been dropped from the current version. Union leaders have communicated to members that they recommend acceptance of the new offer, citing the improved bonus structure as a key achievement.
Return to Work Timeline and Job Security
If the workers ratify the new contract, striking employees in Missouri and Illinois would begin returning to work, with the third shift scheduled to resume on Sunday, November 16. This would mark the end of a strike that began on August 4 and has significantly impacted Boeing's defense production capabilities.
In a significant concession, Boeing Defense, Space and Security president and CEO Steve Parker issued a statement guaranteeing that all IAM 837 members would return to work if the offer is ratified. "No one would be displaced," Parker confirmed, though he cautioned that this guarantee might not be available in the future.
Regional Comparisons and Negotiation Context
The negotiation process revealed interesting regional dynamics within the labor movement. Union leaders had initially pushed for a bonus more aligned with the $12,000 signing bonus achieved by IAM members in the Pacific Northwest following a seven-week strike last November.
However, representatives acknowledged the higher cost of living in the Seattle area compared to St. Louis meant that matching the $12,000 bonus was unlikely. At one point in negotiations, they had pushed for a $10,000 bonus before ultimately settling on the current $6,000 upfront payment.
The striking machinists work on critical defense programs including the F-15 and F-18 combat aircraft, the T-7 Red Hawk Advanced Pilot Training System, and the MQ-25 unmanned aircraft at factories located in Missouri and Illinois. The prolonged strike has affected production across these essential defense programs.
