More than 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, who work at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis region, have been on strike since August 4. The workers are seeking a new four-year contract after negotiations with Boeing stalled.
The IAM union held a rally to support its striking members, joined by allies from across the labor movement. During the event, union leaders and representatives from other organizations voiced their support for the strikers and criticized Boeing’s approach to contract negotiations.
IAM International President Brian Bryant addressed Boeing directly during his remarks: “I’m here to tell Boeing: you are not just fighting 3,200 workers. You are fighting 600,000 IAM Union members across North America,” said Bryant. “You are fighting millions more across the labor movement. And you are fighting a community that will never be broken!”
The striking workers build and maintain key defense products such as the F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets as well as advanced missile systems for U.S. national security needs. Labor leaders at the rally argued that failure to reach an agreement threatens both worker livelihoods and military readiness.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler stated: “We’re seeing this everywhere, and it’s called corporate greed. These are attacks on our dignity,” she said. “If Boeing can afford to give $100 million in golden parachutes to failed CEOs, then they can afford to pay your workers a fair share of the wealth we create.”
IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli added: “Every picket line, picket sign, and every hour we hold this line is a message to everyone in this country that – we will not be silenced, we will not be divided, and we will not back down! The Midwest Territory is with you. The IAM International is with you. And the entire labor movement is with you!”
Jody Bennett, Resident General Vice President of IAM, highlighted what he described as world-class work performed by members in St. Louis: “You build the F-15. You build the F/A-18. You’re going to build the F-47. You build the systems that defend this nation,” Bennett said. “That is world-class work. And world-class work deserves world-class respect!”
The rally was hosted by Tom Boelling, Directing Business Representative for District 837, with participation from other labor leaders including Jon Holden (President of IAM District 751), Jake Hummel (President of Missouri AFL-CIO), Patrick Kellett (President of St. Louis Labor Council), and John Dimas (President of SPEEA). They all expressed continued solidarity with striking workers.
Support has come from unions nationwide as well as local elected officials and community groups who say St. Louis workers deserve equal treatment compared to other Boeing employees around the country.
