More than 3,200 members of IAM District 837 remain on strike at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area after negotiations with the company stalled. The union says its members have been striking since August 4, following Boeing’s refusal to agree to what it calls a fair contract. IAM District 837 has submitted a four-year contract proposal ratified by its membership and is calling on Boeing to respond.
The recent rally brought together IAM Union members and allies from across the labor movement in support of the strikers. “I’m here to tell Boeing: you are not just fighting 3,200 workers. You are fighting 600,000 IAM Union members across North America,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “You are fighting millions more across the labor movement. And you are fighting a community that will never be broken!”
IAM District 837 workers build and maintain key defense products such as the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets, as well as advanced missile systems for U.S. national security. Labor leaders argue that Boeing’s stance threatens both worker livelihoods and military readiness.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler addressed corporate compensation at the rally: “We’re seeing this everywhere, and it’s called corporate greed. These are attacks on our dignity,” she said. “If Boeing can afford to give $100 million in golden parachutes to failed CEOs, then they can afford to pay your workers a fair share of the wealth we create.”
IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli told attendees: “Every picket line, picket sign, and every hour we hold this line is a message to everyone in this country that – we will not be silenced, we will not be divided, and we will not back down! The Midwest Territory is with you. The IAM International is with you. And the entire labor movement is with you!”
Jody Bennett, Resident General Vice President of IAM, highlighted the importance of their work: “You build the F-15. You build the F/A-18. You’re going to build the F-47. You build the systems that defend this nation,” Bennett said at the event. “That is world-class work. And world-class work deserves world-class respect!”
The rally was hosted by Tom Boelling, Directing Business Representative for District 837, and included participation from labor leaders throughout Missouri and beyond.
Support also came from Jon Holden—President of IAM District 751 in Washington state—who previously led thousands through a lengthy strike at Boeing in 2024; Jake Hummel—President of Missouri AFL-CIO; Patrick Kellett—President of St. Louis Labor Council; and John Dimas—President of SPEEA (Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace), representing engineers and technical staff at Boeing.
Solidarity messages have continued from unions nationwide as well as local officials and community groups.
