Growth Markets
October 7, 2025
Boeing brings in replacements as Missouri strike continues
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Boeing Defense in Missouri has begun training replacements as the company faces off with striking workers.
“We’re taking the next step in our contingency plan and hiring permanent replacement workers for manufacturing roles to ensure we’re properly staffed to keep supporting our customers,” Boeing stated.
About 3,200 employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 have been on strike since Aug. 4. Projects at the facility include the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and future F-47 fighter jet. Aluminum, especially high-purity aluminum, is a crucial component in defense and aerospace applications.
The union and Boeing have been meeting with federal mediators to resolve the standoff.
On Sept. 30, IAM issued a statement saying it had submitted a modified offer to the company “within the parameters of the pre-ratified agreement approved by the membership.”
“We look forward to engaging with the company,” IAM stated. “If accepted by the company, this modified offer would require a membership vote.”
However, Boeing countered, stating the union was setting “false expectations with its members.”
“We’ve made it clear we’re ready and willing to discuss proposals within the parameters of our market-leading offer that union leadership has twice endorsed, not modifications to their self-drafted proposal,” Boeing said in a statement. “We’ll stay focused on executing our contingency plan, hiring permanent replacements and supporting our customers.”
Earlier, the union said Boeing continues to offer its five-year contract, which IAM has rejected three times.
“We will not re-vote a rejected offer. The way to end this strike continues to be the sensible pre-ratified offer that was accepted by our membership,” the union stated.
The company argues its offer is “far more lucrative than other recently ratified contracts for complex manufacturing work in our region. That includes a deal between GE Aerospace and the IAM in Cincinnati, where union members just ratified a five-year contract with general wage increases of 5%, 5%, 3%, 3% and 3.5%.”
The union has been seeking compensation that aligns with gains Boeing employees in other parts of the country have received.
Overall, The IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members across North America in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
