New York – More than 3,000 striking Boeing defense workers are set to vote Thursday on a revised contract proposal that moves closer to meeting their demands, potentially ending a strike that began over three months ago.
The new offer from Boeing Defense, Space & Security, endorsed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, includes a $6,000 upfront ratification bonus — double the previous signing bonus — and guarantees that no worker will lose their job if the agreement is approved.
If members vote in favor, employees in Missouri and Illinois could return to work as early as Sunday, November 16, starting with the third shift.
✈️ A Deal Closer to Worker Demands
The latest offer replaces Boeing’s earlier proposal of a $3,000 signing bonus plus $3,000 in restricted stock, which workers narrowly rejected on October 26. It also drops a $1,000 “retention bonus” that was to be paid in the fourth year of the prior deal — a move seen as simplifying and front-loading compensation.
“We will guarantee that all IAM 837 members will be returned to work if this offer is ratified. No one would be displaced,” said Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security. “This is not something we will be able to guarantee moving forward.”
Boeing has acknowledged that it has been recruiting replacement workers, but the company says striking employees will have their jobs secured if they accept the new terms.
🧰 Union Leaders Support the Offer
Union leaders have urged members to approve the deal, calling it a realistic compromise after weeks of tension. In a message to members, IAM District 837 said it “recommends acceptance of the offer”, pointing to the higher up-front payment as a meaningful step by Boeing.
“If ratified, return-to-work would begin with the third shift on Sunday, Nov. 16,” the union’s statement read.
The IAM represents machinists who build key Boeing defense products — including the F-15 Eagle, F-18 Super Hornet, T-7 Red Hawk Advanced Trainer, and MQ-25 unmanned refueling aircraft — across facilities in St. Louis, Missouri and Mascoutah, Illinois.
💵 How This Offer Compares
The union had originally pushed for a $10,000 bonus, citing the $12,000 signing bonus achieved by IAM members in Seattle after a seven-week strike in 2024 that shut down two major commercial aircraft plants.
However, IAM negotiators acknowledged that such a figure was unlikely in the Midwest, given the lower cost of living compared to Washington state. The new $6,000 up-front bonus is seen as a fair midpoint — providing immediate relief for workers without stretching Boeing’s defense budget.
⚙️ What’s at Stake
The strike, which began August 4, has halted production on several important military programs, including fighter jets and training systems vital to U.S. defense contracts.
Analysts say ending the strike soon would help stabilize Boeing’s defense operations, which have already faced delays and cost overruns in recent years.
Both sides appear ready for closure. Boeing wants to restore production flow and meet Pentagon delivery schedules, while union members are eager to secure financial stability after months on the picket line.
🔍 What Happens Next
Voting is underway, and results are expected later Thursday. If the contract is ratified, workers could be back on the job within days, signaling an end to one of Boeing’s most significant labor disputes in recent years.
If rejected, however, the standoff could continue — with Boeing hinting that its job guarantees and current offer may not remain on the table in future negotiations.
For now, all eyes are on IAM District 837 and its members as they decide whether Boeing’s latest proposal is enough to bring them back to the assembly line.
