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A strike involving more than 3,200 skilled technicians began on August 4 at Boeing Defense sites in the St. Louis area. The walkout is related to ongoing labor negotiations between Boeing and members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837.
Despite the strike at Boeing’s defense facilities, workers at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita remain largely unconcerned. Spirit is currently in the final stages of a merger that will make it a subsidiary of Boeing. According to company communications, Spirit employees have been told their pay and benefits will not change as a result of the merger.
Warren Williams, an employee at Spirit AeroSystems, expressed confidence about job security following the acquisition. As quoted by ABC KAKE News: "They assured us that nothing with our employment benefits and our insurance will change once we're acquired by Boeing." Sam Cicinelli, Midwest territory general vice president for IAM, explained the reasons behind the strike in a statement reported by PBS News: “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.”
