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ST. LOUIS, Sept. 19, 2025— IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) District 837 members have ratified a union-proposed four-year contract offer — a bold step to end the strike that has stretched nearly seven weeks at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area.
The proposal will now be submitted to Boeing as a pre-ratified agreement, putting the responsibility squarely on the company to accept the deal and immediately end the strike. IAM Union District 837 members remain on strike.
The proposal reflects priorities continuously expressed by members in order to reach a fair agreement. It aligns 401(k) contribution percentages with Boeing employees around the country, more fairly raises wages for top-of-scale members, and includes a compromise on the ratification bonus that approaches the level Boeing provided for IAM Union members in the Pacific Northwest and non-union workers in South Carolina.
A growing number of elected officials have called on Boeing to negotiate in good faith and expressed concern over the defense company’s bargaining tactics.
Despite strong quarterly earnings and billions in military contracts, Boeing has so far refused to present a meaningful improvement, prolonging a strike that has already disrupted production and delayed deliveries critical to U.S. and allied defense. Boeing executive Dan Gillian recently called the union’s attempt to end the strike a “waste of time.”
“Our members stood up with courage and voted for a fair, responsible pathway to end this strike,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Now, Boeing must honor that decision, accept this deal, and show respect for the skilled workers who are the backbone of its defense business.”
“Our members have spoken loudly — we are ready to return to work once Boeing accepts this agreement,” said IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “It’s up to the company to get our members back to what they do best: building world-class aircraft for our nation’s defense.”
“Today our members made a powerful statement of unity by ratifying this proposal,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “The ball is now in Boeing’s court. Accept this agreement today, respect your workforce, and let’s get back to building the world’s best military aircraft.”
“The strike has already delayed vital national defense programs and cost Boeing millions each day,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “Our members have done their part — now it’s time for Boeing to do the right thing. Accept this deal today and restore stability to your operations.”
Approximately 3,200 IAM District 837 members at Boeing facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill., remain on strike until Boeing agrees to the union-proposed settlement. These highly skilled workers build and maintain critical defense products, including the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and future F-47 fighter jet.
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across North America in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
