St. Louis, Illinois Fighter Jet Plants Affected

More than 3,200 workers at Boeing’s St. Louis area and Illinois defense division facilities voted to reject a second contract offer and went out on strike on August 4, curtailing production of F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets, T-7 trainers, and MQ-25 drones for aerial refueling for the U.S. Navy.

The company said their second contract offer included an approximately 40% average wage increase, a $5,000 ratification bonus, periodic raises, and additional vacation and sick leave time. The District 837 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) were not happy with the offer.

Sam Cicinelli, General Vice President of the IAM Midwest Territory said in a statement, “IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defense systems that keep our country safe. They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise.”

Dan Gillian, Vice President of Air Dominance and Vice President and General Manager of Boeing’s St. Louis facilities said, "We're disappointed our employees in St. Louis rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth."

Gillian also said the company was “prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers.”

Kelly Ortberg, CEO of Boeing, noted that the company had made it through a seven-week strike by 33,000 workers at commercial airliner plants in the Pacific Northwest. He downplayed the effect of the strike in a second-quarter earnings call with analysts, saying, "I wouldn't worry too much about the implications of the strike. We'll manage our way through that."

Boeing has facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles in Missouri, and another in Mascoutah, Illinois.

FMI:  www.boeing.com/