The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board against The Boeing Company. The union alleges that Boeing has refused to bargain in good faith with over 3,200 IAM District 837 members who have been on strike since August 4 at facilities in the St. Louis area.
According to the union, since mid-September, Boeing has rejected several union proposals without offering counter proposals to address members’ concerns. The IAM Union claims this is a violation of Boeing’s legal duty to negotiate under the National Labor Relations Act. The union also noted that its membership passed a pre-ratified offer on September 19, which was intended to end the strike and return workers to their jobs.
Boeing reportedly stated, “there is no more coming” and “no matter how long the strike lasts, the economics won’t change.” The union argues these statements indicate a refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations. The ongoing strike is said to be delaying important aircraft deliveries to the U.S. Air Force, and Boeing’s attempts to hire replacement workers have not been successful due to a lack of necessary qualifications.
The strike follows Boeing’s recent acquisition of the F-47 contract, a significant U.S. defense program that relies on IAM Union members’ expertise. The union points out that while an F-15 fighter jet costs about $100 million, their proposal would cost Boeing approximately $50 million over four years, which they consider a modest amount to resolve the dispute and resume production.
“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 around 600,000 active and retired members across several industries in North America.
