Strike Ends – IAM Union 837 Votes to Approve New Boeing Contract
MASCOUTAH — After more than three months on strike, approximately 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 (IAM 837) voted Thursday to ratify a new contract with Boeing, ending the strike that began August 4, 2025. The union members will begin returning to work Sunday, November 16.
The walkout affected Boeing’s defense and aerospace operations in St. Louis, St. Charles, MO, and Mascoutah, IL, where machinists assemble military aircraft and advanced systems. Throughout the dispute members sought higher wages, improved retirement benefits and stronger job security.
IAM District 837 released this statement on Thursday after the vote: “IAM District 837 members stood strong and united for over three months. We thank our Bargaining Committee for their tireless efforts, and we appreciate the unwavering support of our members, their families, the St. Louis community, our labor allies, and elected officials throughout this fight. We’re proud of what our members have fought for together and are ready to get back to building the world’s most advanced military aircraft.
“We look forward to continuing to fight for fairness and respect for the world’s best defense workers in the contracts to come.”
“The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across North America.”
What the Workers Wanted
The machinists at IAM 837 made it clear the strike was about more than incremental wage increases. They sought:
Pay that reflects their skill and the high‐stakes work they do on military aircraft and defense systems.
A meaningful ratification bonus paid upfront rather than long-deferred incentives.
Better retirement and 401(k) contributions to match their peers in other regions.
Assurance of job security and respect for seniority in bargaining unit roles.
An overall contract structure that does not undercut veteran workers’ wage growth or shift value into hard-to-realize later years.
What They Got
The contract ratified by IAM 837 members delivers several key gains:
A $6,000 ratification bonus paid in cash up front.
Wage increases includes an 8% general wage increase plus a July cost-of-living adjustment, with average base pay cited as rising from about $75,000 to $109,000 per year.
No change to service or sick leave anniversary dates and the ability for employees above a vacation-carry cap to cash out excess time by January 31, 2026.
A guarantee that union members will be returned to work if ratified, even though Boeing had hired replacement workers during the strike.
Paid holidays during Thanksgiving and winter break included in the offer.
Retention of overtime policies and additional vacation/sick leave benefits for everyone.
IAM 837 workers won most of their key short-term goals, especially immediate pay and job security. Some long-term financial and retirement aspirations may require future negotiations in the next contract cycle. This ends the longest strike at Boeing since 1948.
