Key Points:
- Boeing Defense begins hiring permanent replacements for 3,200 striking union workers in St. Louis.
- Union leaders accuse Boeing of avoiding negotiations and undermining skilled labor.
- The strike, ongoing since August 4, continues to disrupt military aircraft and munitions production.
Boeing Turns to Replacement Workers Amid Strike
Boeing Defense announced it will begin hiring new workers to permanently replace striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in the St. Louis area. The move follows a month-long labor standoff that has slowed production of key military aircraft and munitions.
In a message to employees, Dan Gillian, Boeing Defense Vice President, confirmed that job postings were opening immediately, with a hiring fair scheduled for September 16. “This will ensure we’re properly staffed to keep supporting our customers,” he said, noting that new recruits will undergo the same training and certifications as current staff, with some positions requiring lengthy security clearance processes.
The strike began on August 4 after roughly 3,200 IAM District 837 members rejected Boeing’s proposed four-year contract. The offer included a 20% wage increase, a $5,000 ratification bonus, and other improvements that Boeing estimated could raise pay by about 40% when factoring in additional benefits. However, union members voted against it, arguing that the deal failed to adequately address their concerns.
Since then, Boeing has relied on non-union workers to keep operations running, though Gillian admitted that production had slowed on certain programs. The defense unit, which builds F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets as well as missile systems, generated about 30% of Boeing’s $42 billion revenue in the first half of 2025.
Union Pushback and Broader Labor Tensions
Union leaders swiftly condemned Boeing’s decision to replace strikers. IAM International President Brian Bryant criticized the move as “doubling down on mismanagement” instead of engaging in meaningful negotiations. “Boeing – let’s get back to the negotiating table. Let’s get real about the concerns of our members and your employees,” he urged in a statement.
IAM District 837 President Tom Boelling raised concerns about Boeing’s plan to replace highly skilled workers, emphasizing that new employees could face months-long delays in receiving necessary security clearances for sensitive defense projects.
The strike comes at a critical time for Boeing, following a series of high-profile labor disputes across the aviation industry. Just last year, more than 32,000 Boeing commercial aircraft machinists staged a seven-week strike before securing 38% raises over four years. That walkout significantly disrupted aircraft production, underscoring the leverage unions have amid industry-wide labor shortages.
Labor experts note that under U.S. law, Boeing is permitted to permanently replace striking workers during contract disputes. However, the decision risks further straining relations with its workforce at a time when the defense and aerospace industries face increasing competition for skilled labor.
For now, both sides remain entrenched. While Boeing signals only minor adjustments to its contract proposal, IAM leaders insist the company must return to the table with a more substantial offer to resolve the impasse.