Boeing strike underway for over 3,000 workers in Mascoutah, St. Louis, St. Charles

By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal
[email protected]

[Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include an official statement of support for Boeing workers from State Rep. Katie Stuart]

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837, which represents approximately 3,200 union members in Mascoutah, Ill., St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., rejected Boeing’s latest contract offer and went on strike at midnight Monday, according to union officials.

Boeing published a response on Aug. 3 to the union members’ rejection of the offer, saying, “We’re disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules. We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers.”

According to a Reuters report, Boeing said it was ready for the action. “We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan,” noted Boeing Air Dominance Vice President and General Manager Dan Gillian said in an emailed statement to Reuters. “We’re disappointed our employees in St. Louis rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth.”

Reuters further reported that Boeing’s original proposal included a 20% general wage increase over four years and a $5,000 ratification bonus, as well as more vacation time and sick leave.

Last week, Reuters noted that Boeing sent a new contract offer to the union with some minor compensation changes that would benefit senior union members, according to the company. The offer also kept current overtime policies, which Boeing had proposed modifying in the last contract offer.

A summary of Boeing St. Louis’s “Last, Best and Final Offer” was also posted on the company’s website:

 

 

In a post on the social media forum X, IAM issued a strike alert that included reasons for the strike: “…this is about respect and dignity, not empty promises.” The post also noted that Union members at Boeing went on strike because “enough is enough.”

“IAM District 837 members have spoken loud and clear, they deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense,” said IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling in a published statement. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with these working families as they fight for fairness and respect on the job.”

According to the union, IAM members assemble and maintain advanced aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-15, F/A-18, and cutting-edge missile and defense technologies. “Their work plays a vital role in safeguarding national security and supporting U.S. and allied defense operations,” a statement further noted.

The union had announced late in July that members of District 837 “overwhelmingly voted to reject” Boeing’s latest contract offer. The previous contract expired just before midnight on July 27, 2025.

State Representative Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) is voicing her support for Boeing workers striking for fair wages and job security. The workers are raising urgent concerns over stagnant pay and uncertainty about their future, and Stuart is standing with them in their fight for economic justice.

“Boeing workers aren’t just building aircraft—they’re building the future of our national defense and local economy,” Stuart said. “They are also building families and sustaining communities in the Metro-East. They deserve wages that reflect their hard work and dedication to their craft, as well as the peace of mind that comes with knowing their jobs will be protected.”

The strike comes in response to what workers say are years of wage stagnation, increasing workloads, and a lack of meaningful negotiations from leadership. For Stuart, the issue is clear: every worker deserves a livable wage and the job security needed to support their families.

“For me, the issue is clear,” Stuart said. “I stand with working families, and I know that fair pay and job security aren’t just nice-to-have, they are the whole ball game. That’s why I remain committed to advocating for policies in Springfield that protect workers’ rights and uplifting working families. No worker should be denied the dignity, respect, and the job security they’ve earned.”