IAM Union District 837, the union leading the Boeing defense workers strike, has ratified a new contract with the aerospace company. After 101 days of striking, the union has secured a five-year contract with terms that have satisfied a majority of its members. With the Boeing union contract ratified, workers are expected to go back to work as early as Sunday, bringing their three-month-long tussle with the company to an end. The Boeing machinists’ strike in 2025 is an echo of the company’s previous encounters with union movements and a stark reminder of the power that a unified union protest can have on an organization.
The Boeing workers’ union strike has officially ended with the ratification of a new contract, with workers expected to go back to work on Nov. 16. (Image: Pexels)
Boeing Strike Ends as a Contract is Ratified by Members of IAM District 837
The Boeing defense workers’ strike began on August 4 after a previous contract expired, and workers were unsatisfied with the terms of the new contract offers that were being presented by the organization. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 (IAM) led the strike, with over 3,200 workers walking off the job and initiating a rebellion until a more satisfactory offer was made.
The workers were responsible for the assembly of some of Boeing’s top offerings in aerospace defence, including the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets. While the company initially indicated that it would draw out workers from other parts of its operations to keep it moving towards its delivery deadlines, the company reportedly faced slowed production and delays, holding up its deals with clients, including the US Air Force.
The union workers faced multiple challenges during the course of the strike as well, with Boeing even considering conducting hiring drives to replace the striking workers. Just how far the company got with this strategy remains unclear, but the union accused Boeing of unfair labor practices and holding back on negotiating in good faith. Federal labor charges were also filed by the union as they waited for the organization to present them with a better offer.
The Boeing Contract Vote Saw 68% Voting in Favor of Ratifying the Contract
Previous iterations of the contract offered a $5,000 ratification bonus and a 20% raise over the course of the contract’s duration. While members demanded that the contract be amended, Boeing stated that the cost of the contract couldn’t be changed, only the terms on which it was paid out to employees.
The company reiterated that the workers’ demands exceeded cost-of-living expectations in the Midwest, with the tiff even resulting in a letter to Boeing from the Congressional Labor Caucus, urging the organization to settle the matter with a fair contract. The union drafted and presented its own four-year contract to Boeing, but this too was rejected, leading to a stalemate.
With the latest offer, 68% of the striking Boeing union members voted in favor of the contract, accepting the terms and agreeing to return to their posts at once. The members are set to return to work on November 16, 2025. The five-year agreement includes a 24% wage hike throughout the course of the contract, along with a $6,000 signing bonus. Other specifications in the contract remain unknown.
How Did the Boeing Defense Machinists Respond to the New Deal?
Union members and leaders were certainly satisfied with the terms of the contract, expressing their preparedness to return to work at once. “IAM District 837 members stood strong and united for over three months. We thank our Bargaining Committee for their tireless efforts, and we appreciate the unwavering support of our members, their families, the St. Louis community, our labor allies, and elected officials throughout this fight,” the union said in a statement.
“We’re proud of what our members have fought for together and are ready to get back to building the world’s most advanced military aircraft,” they added. Boeing similarly stated that it was keen to bring back its full team together, leaving out any other thoughts on the final contract.
As Boeing’s 3-Month Strike Ends, Other Union Movements Gain Momentum
The Boeing defence machinists’ new deal may have led to a final resolution on peaceful terms, but the three-month strike was not a walk in the park for either party. The grueling, long-drawn-out battle will likely continue to have repercussions in the months to come as both employers and employees settle back down and return to operations. As one strike comes to a close, other movements in the US are gaining momentum.
Employees at Rockstar Games have united in accusing their employer of alleged union-busting tactics, including the firing of employees for attempting to unionize.
Starbucks baristas, backed by the Starbucks Workers United union, initiated a strike of their own on November 13. Workers from across 40 cities joined the open-ended “No contract, no coffee” movement to push Starbucks into finalizing a contract that meets their needs. The company has long held that it offers its workers some of the best terms of employment and benefits in the industry, and has resisted the union movements that have sporadically sprung up across its stores.
Workers from 40 stores have currently joined the strike, and more are expected to join the protest in the coming days. For now, it’s unclear what impact this has had on Starbucks’ Red Cup Day sales event, and how it will affect the business if it continues. With the Boeing strike coming to an end with a contract, the achievement may have bolstered the spirits of the Starbucks workers, despite operating in entirely separate industries, under different circumstances.
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