Boeing reaches tentative labor deal with machinists union after five-week strike

“We’ve found a path forward on a five-year contract offer that grows wages by 45% on average. It remains the best deal we’ve ever offered to IAM 837, and we encourage our team to vote yes so we can get back to work building amazing products for our customers.”

Negotiations started June 20 between IAM District 837 workers and leaders at Boeing Air Dominance facilities in St. Louis. Union members voted overwhelmingly—99%—to authorize the strike before walking out last month.

The current proposal maintains previously offered enhancements such as automatic pay progression of $0.75 per hour every six months, no increase in employee healthcare cost shares with continued access to local clinics, preservation of Boeing’s top-ranked 401(k) plan plus pension improvements, and various shift differentials or attendance bonuses.

IAM International President Brian Bryant visited striking workers recently along with other union leadership figures to show support. “The strike is about respect and fairness,” Bryant said, reaffirming the union’s resolve not to settle without what they consider an equitable agreement.

Union member Brandon Thiel told CNN he was unsure how he would vote but doubted the latest proposal would pass; he noted his raises during seven years at Boeing have mostly been offset by rising living expenses.

Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli expressed pride in the solidarity shown by IAM District 837 members throughout negotiations. The dispute has also drawn attention from lawmakers; U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) visited strikers this week as well.

Boeing was founded in July 1916 and is headquartered in Chicago. Its product lines include commercial aircraft like the Boeing 737 through 787 models as well as military planes produced at its St. Louis facilities.