Thousands of workers working at Boeing facilities in Missouri and Illinois began a strike early on the morning of August 4 (local time), after failing to reach an agreement on labor contracts as desired.
The number of workers on the strike is estimated at more than 3,200 people, working at facilities in St. Petersburg. Louis, St. Charles, Missouri and Mascoutah, Illinois.
In a post on X, the International Aerospace Workers and Mechanical Association of Area 837 (IAM) - the union representing the workers - said that the strike began because "it was a matter of respect and dignity, not empty promises".
The move comes days after IAM, along with fighter jets and other weapons systems, rejected a proposed revised contract from Boeing.
On August 3, IAM Vice President of the Midwest region - Mr. Sam Cicinelli - said that IAM members deserve "a family safety contract and recognition of their outstanding expertise" for their contributions to US security.
Meanwhile, Boeing Air dominance Vice President and CEO, who is also senior executive director of Boeing at St. Petersburg. Louis - Mr. Dan Gillian - said that the company was disappointed because the employees refused an offer including an average salary increase of 40% and solving their main problem of replacement work schedules.
Mr. Gillian added that Boeing has also "prepared for a strike and has fully implemented a contingency plan to ensure our non-strike workforce can continue to support customers."
According to IAM, these workers often assemble and maintain weapons systems, missile and defense technology, along with aircraft, including F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets.
IAM said that at the end of July, the union also announced that members of Area 837 " voted overwhelmingly to reject" Boeing's contract offer. The previous contract expired just before midnight on July 27 (local time).
