After more than a month on strike, Boeing workers in the St. Louis region may soon return to the job. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 announced Wednesday that its negotiating committee has reached a tentative five-year labor agreement with Boeing Defense.
“It remains the best deal we’ve ever offered to IAM 837 and we encourage our team to vote yes so we can get back to work building amazing products for our customers.”
The agreement, which still requires ratification by union members, includes general wage increases and restores a signing bonus, according to the union. Additional details are expected to be shared with members ahead of a vote scheduled for Friday.
“We’ve found a path forward on a 5-year contract offer that grows wages by 45% on average,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president, general manager, and senior St. Louis site executive, in a statement. “It remains the best deal we’ve ever offered to IAM 837 and we encourage our team to vote yes so we can get back to work building amazing products for our customers.”
The tentative agreement comes after roughly 3,200 workers walked off the job Aug. 4 at Boeing facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Mascoutah, Illinois. The strike halted production of advanced aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-15, F/A-18, and other defense technologies critical to U.S. and allied security.
Union members will cast their votes on Friday between 8 and 11 a.m. at the St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights. The IAM negotiating committee will be on-site to answer questions about the agreement before ballots are cast.
The IAM represents about 600,000 active and retired members across aerospace, defense, transportation, hea
There’s no agreement. It was an offer that was worse than the first. It will not be accepted.