ST. LOUIS — The union representing St. Louis-area Boeing workers says its members have authorized a strike if contract negotiations fail with the company.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said a Sunday vote to green-light a possible strike had 99% support.
"Boeing Defense makes billions from the hands-on talent of our members," Sam Cicinelli, general vice president of IAM's Midwest territory, said in a news release Monday. "It’s time those same hands are rewarded with respect, dignity, and a strong agreement."
Contract talks between Boeing and IAM District 837 began earlier this month. The local has about 3,200 members.
Negotiations over wages and benefits are scheduled to begin Tuesday, according to the union.
Kurt LaBelle, spokesperson for Boeing, said the company is committed to reaching a deal "that recognizes our employees’ contributions and keeps us moving forward. We look forward to our continued discussions with the union.”
The St. Louis workers make defense aircraft for Boeing at sites in St. Louis County, St. Charles and Mascoutah. The products made there include the F-15 and F-18 fighter jets, T-7A trainer and MQ-25 refueling drone.
Strikes at Boeing’s area sites have been uncommon. The most recent was in 1996, against McDonnell Douglas, a year before it merged with Boeing. Before that, workers went on strike in 1975.
Boeing's workers in Washington state embarked on a seven-week strike last year, eventually winning a 38% boost to wages over four years.
The local union's current contract with Boeing, which was approved in 2022, expires July 27.
Boeing had planned to show off its new Advanced Robotic Coating Center in St. Louis County on Monday, as well as its facility in Mascoutah, where the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft is being built.
The company postponed the tour on Friday.
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R- Mo., had been scheduled to appear at the event, with his office noting the senator's work to "make Missouri the birthplace of the F-47." Boeing won a contract in March to build the U.S. Air Force's next generation fighter jet, the F-47.
But the Senate was voting Monday on provisions in President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."
LaBelle said Monday the postponement had nothing to do with contract talks.
"The postponement was directly due to congressional attendees of our event having sudden scheduling conflicts," he said in an email.
The decision announced Friday by President Trump could secure St. Louis’ place in the defense aviation industry for decades to come and inject new jobs into the regional economy.
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