More than 3,000 Boeing defense workers have officially ended one of the longest strikes in the company's history, voting to accept a new contract that brings significant wage increases and improved benefits.
End of a Prolonged Work Stoppage
The strike, which began on August 4, 2025, involved workers from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 at Boeing defense facilities in the midwestern states of Missouri and Illinois. The work stoppage lasted for more than three months, making it one of the most prolonged labor disputes in Boeing's history.
On Thursday, November 13, 2025, union members voted to end the industrial action and accept Boeing's latest contract offer. The union stated, "We're proud of what our members have fought for together and are ready to get back to building the world's most advanced military aircraft."
Details of the New Contract Agreement
After rejecting four previous offers from the aerospace giant, the workers finally secured a deal they found acceptable. The key components of the new five-year collective bargaining agreement include an upfront payment and a substantial wage increase.
Workers will receive a $6,000 upfront payment. More significantly, the average annual base salary for these machinists will see a dramatic rise. It will increase from the current $75,000 to $109,000 by the end of the five-year contract period.
Boeing expressed its satisfaction with the resolution, stating, "We’re pleased with the results and look forward to bringing our full team back together on Nov. 17 to support our customers."
Union Negotiations and Regional Comparisons
The path to this agreement was not straightforward. Union leaders had initially pushed for a signing bonus more aligned with the $12,000 received by IAM members in the Pacific Northwest after a strike in the previous year.
However, during negotiations, it was acknowledged that achieving an identical bonus for the midwestern workers was unlikely. Union representatives recognized the higher cost of living in the Seattle region compared to the St. Louis area, where the Missouri and Illinois plants are located. This led them to initially advocate for a $10,000 bonus during talks.
Ultimately, the leadership of IAM District 837 recommended the final proposal from Boeing to its members, leading to the successful vote that ended the strike. The workers are set to return to their posts, where they build critical military aircraft including the F-15 and F-18 combat jets, the T-7 Red Hawk Advanced Pilot Training System, and the MQ-25 unmanned aircraft.
