Boeing announced Thursday that it will begin hiring permanent replacement manufacturing workers as a strike by Boeing employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 enters its fifth week.
The move comes after more than 3,000 Boeing employees walked off the job on August 4, following the rejection of two proposed labor agreements. The strike has affected production at the company’s St. Louis-area facilities, where workers build military aircraft and related systems.
Boeing Begins Recruitment Effort
In a message shared with Boeing employees and media outlets, Dan Gillian, Boeing’s Vice President of Air Dominance, confirmed that the company has started the hiring process. Boeing also plans to host a job fair later this month to attract new workers to fill the roles left vacant by striking employees.
“We believe our latest proposal addressed the union’s key concerns,” Gillian said. “The union negotiation team called it a landmark agreement in August, and we continue to believe it represents the best offer ever made to IAM 837.”
Despite the company’s position,Boeing employees represented by IAM District 837 overwhelmingly voted against the contract offer. The proposal included changes to wages and benefits, along with other adjustments, but union members cited long-term impacts on senior employees as a primary reason for rejecting the deal.
Workers’ Response
For some employees, the decision to oppose the agreement was driven by concerns over wage freezes and contract terms that could affect senior staff.
“I voted no because I work with a lot of older guys who would have been impacted by the freeze,” said Boeing employee and IAM member Matthew Paronish while on the picket line. “They would have seen their wages stalled, and eventually, that would have an effect on me too.”
The strike represents one of the largest work stoppages Boeing has faced in recent years at its St. Louis facilities, which play a key role in producing military aircraft and equipment.
Union Perspective
IAM International President Brian Bryant issued a statement Thursday criticizing Boeing’s decision to hire replacements rather than resume negotiations.
“Instead of going back to the negotiating table, Boeing decided to hold a media event,” Bryant said. “Now, Boeing is doubling down by saying it plans to hire replacement workers instead of negotiating with its skilled workforce.”
Bryant also pointed to concerns raised by Boeing employees and union members over signing bonuses. He noted that Boeing offered a $12,000 signing bonus to employees in the Pacific Northwest and to non-union staff in South Carolina, while removing a $5,000 signing bonus from the proposal to St. Louis workers.
Ongoing Disruption
The strike, now approaching its sixth week, has already had an impact on Boeing’s production schedules. The company has not disclosed the extent of delays but acknowledged that work on some military contracts has been disrupted.
Industry analysts note that hiring and training replacement workers for highly specialized manufacturing roles will be a complex process. Many of the positions at Boeing’s St. Louis facilities require advanced technical skills and years of experience.
What Comes Next
With both sides holding firm, the path forward remains uncertain. Boeing continues to move ahead with plans to hire new staff, while the union has reiterated its readiness to return to the negotiating table.
In the meantime, production challenges are expected to persist, placing added attention on how long the strike will continue and what impact it will have on Boeing’s defense programs.
For now, Boeing is balancing the need to maintain production with the reality of a workforce dispute that shows no immediate signs of resolution.
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