Over 3,000 Boeing fighter jet workers went on strike; here's why

More than 3,200 unionised Boeing workers in the St. Louis area and Illinois walked off the job on August 4 after overwhelmingly rejecting a second contract offer from the aerospace giant. These workers, who are responsible for assembling key US military aircraft like the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets, argue that the proposed agreement falls short of addressing their financial and workplace concerns. As Boeing’s defense business grows with new contracts like the F-47A, labor tensions are rising over what union leaders say is a disconnect between the company’s profits and the value of its frontline workers.


Why Boeing fighter jet workers walked off the job
The strike centers around dissatisfaction with Boeing’s proposed four-year contract, which included a 20% general wage increase, a $5,000 ratification bonus, and promises of better vacation time and sick leave. Boeing claimed the offer would raise average pay by 40%, but members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 weren’t convinced. They argued that the revised deal was nearly identical to an earlier version that had already been rejected. Workers say Boeing’s booming defense operations make it reasonable to expect a contract that keeps pace with rising living costs and recognizes their pivotal role in national security manufacturing.


What Boeing’s unionised workforce is demanding
The workers’ demands go beyond higher wages. Union leaders have stressed the need for stronger job security protections, better healthcare benefits, and fairer compensation structures that reflect the growing workload. As Boeing increases its defense production, employees are asking for assurances that these new projects won’t result in excessive overtime without adequate compensation or the outsourcing of jobs.

They also want clearer promotion pathways, more transparent performance evaluations, and increased retirement benefits to support long-term stability for workers and their families. According to District 837 President Tom Boelling, the workers “deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense.” The union sees this strike not just as a wage dispute, but as a stand for respect and investment in the skilled labor force powering Boeing’s defense ambitions.


Boeing’s response to the walkout
Boeing expressed disappointment at the rejection and said it was ready for the work stoppage, having implemented contingency plans to keep operations going. Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing’s St. Louis defense facilities, called the offer “generous.” CEO Kelly Ortberg downplayed the strike’s impact in a call with analysts, citing past experiences with labor action, including a seven-week strike last year by a larger group of commercial aircraft builders in the Northwest.


What’s at stake for Boeing and US defense projects
The walkout affects the assembly of several critical platforms including the F-15, F/A-18, T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, and MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone. It also raises concerns about possible delays in production of the new F-47A, recently greenlit for the US Air Force. With national security and multi-billion-dollar defense contracts on the line, the strike highlights the tensions between corporate cost control and labor rights — a balancing act Boeing must navigate carefully as it looks to lead the next generation of US military aviation.