Wednesday, Oct. 22 Update:
Your IAM Union Bargaining Committee met with Boeing through federal mediators over the last two days. After 79 days on strike — without pay or healthcare thanks to Boeing — our members are still standing strong and united for the fair contract we deserve.
After all this time, the company came back with a five-year offer that was nothing short of disrespectful to our members. The company made an offer that had no meaningful improvements in the areas our members have told us and the company they care about – retirement security, ratification bonus and top-of-scale wage growth. The company has insisted on a fifth year, despite adding no additional value to the fifth year.
In addition, the company’s “return to work” agreement included language allowing managers and non-union workers to perform our members’ work for the first 30 days back on the job. The company also wants to terminate any member who doesn’t immediately return to work, despite the fact that many of our members have taken other jobs to support their families during the strike. That is absolutely unacceptable.
We’ve said it many times, and we’ll say it again: we will not vote on an insulting offer.
Our members already passed a sensible pre-ratified offer in September that gives Boeing the assurance of our members’ approval and a clear path to end this strike. Instead, Boeing continues to ignore that proposal and the voices of its own employees.
This isn’t “Midwest Manufacturing,” our members build the most advanced military aircraft in the world – the aircraft and military systems that keep our servicemembers and allies safe. These are not replaceable jobs. Our members deserve to be treated with the same respect and value that Boeing gives to every part of the so-called “One Boeing” family the company always talks about.
As we heard today on Capitol Hill, Boeing’s greed and disdain for the very employees who make its success possible is on full display. It’s long past time for Boeing to show some respect for its workforce and come to the table with a reasonable offer that recognizes your skill, dedication and experience, as well as the value you bring to this company and our nation.
Stay strong and stay united on the picket line. Together, we will continue to fight for the fair contract you deserve.
In solidarity,
Your IAM District 837 Bargaining Committee
Monday, Oct. 20 Update:
Today, your bargaining committee met with Boeing through federal mediators to continue working toward a fair contract. The company requested to continue mediation on Tuesday morning and the union has accepted.
Friday, Oct. 17 Update:
Thursday, Oct. 16 Update:
Update 1: We have filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the company for refusing to bargain in good faith. Our solidarity is our power, and together we’ll win the fair contract we’ve earned. Read more here.
Update 2: While Boeing claims we’ve been in mediation “for several weeks,” that’s simply misleading. The last time we met with a federal mediator was on Sept. 29. Since then, there have been no further mediation sessions. Read more here.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 Update:
Under the amended Radiation Exposure Compensation Act individuals who developed a covered illness after living, working, or attending school in areas impacted by Manhattan Project waste contamination may qualify for compensation.
District 837 has claim forms at the hall office for those impacted.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 Update:
We’ve seen Boeing’s latest message. But words don’t end a strike — bargaining does.
If Boeing truly wanted its 3,200 employees back at work, they’d come back to the table and settle this contract. Every “missed paycheck” they point to is the result of their own choice to not have meaningful negotiations.
Boeing says it wants its people back — but wanting workers back isn’t the same as valuing them. If Boeing truly valued its team, it would offer a contract that makes coming back worth it — one that respects the skill, loyalty, and sacrifice behind every jet and munition that bears the Boeing name.
The truth is simple: Boeing can’t replace what our members bring to the table. The experience, craftsmanship, and generational knowledge of this workforce can’t be replicated. The company has seen it firsthand — the same highly skilled members they’ve left on strike are the ones whose dedication just helped Boeing secure the new F-47 fighter program. That award happened because of our members’ proven excellence, not management’s press releases.
That success didn’t come from million-dollar boardrooms. It came from the hands, hearts, and minds of working people who take pride in building the aircraft that protect this nation. While Boeing’s executives continue to collect multimillion-dollar paychecks — even as production stalls — the men and women who make Boeing’s success possible are standing for fairness.
And let’s be clear about something fundamental: the IAM is a democratic union. Our members — not company executives, not even union officers — make the final decision about their future. They voted to stand together for a fair contract, and they’ll decide when Boeing brings back an offer that meets that standard.
IAM District 837 has already presented a fair, pre-ratified proposal that reflects compromise and good faith. Boeing’s refusal to negotiate — not the resolve of its workforce — is what keeps this strike going.
Messages don’t move us closer to returning to work. Bargaining does.
It’s time for Boeing to come back to the table, respect the people who make its success possible, and end this strike the right way.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 Update:
Your IAM Union Bargaining Committee continues to work on your behalf to resolve this strike and get back to work. Through a federal mediator, we have 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. If accepted by the company, this modified offer would require a membership vote.
Monday, Sept. 29 Update:
Update 1: Our IAM Union bargaining committee met with federal mediators today. The company continues to insist on staying within the same economic framework that our members have rejected three times. The company has re-extended its rejected five-year offer. 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. We are available when the company has an improved offer. Continue to stand strong!
Update 2: “We see Boeing has again mischaracterized our negotiations. Today’s mediation session ended with the company giving us an offer that has already been rejected by our membership. It is clear the company was completely unprepared to resolve this strike. We told mediators that we remain fully available when the company has an improved offer.” — IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett and IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli
Friday, Sept. 26 Update:
IAM District 837 Family,
Our contract is about more than GWI’s. It’s about a path to a dignified retirement, bonuses reflecting our essential skills that keep America safe, and
wage fairness regardless of where you’re at in the pay scale.
Monday, Sept. 22 Update:
IAM District 837 Family,
Did you know your Union is texting strike updates so everyone knows what’s happening in real time? This includes picket schedules, strike benefits, upcoming rallies, and negotiation news. CLICK HERE so you don’t miss anything.
DISCLAIMER: It’s only for union updates during the strike. No spam. It’s the fastest way to keep everyone in the loop.
In solidarity,
Your IAM District 837 Bargaining Committee
Friday, Sept. 19 Update:
IAM District 837 Family,
Today, IAM District 837 members voted to approve the union-proposed four-year strike settlement offer. This is a strong step forward, and the proposal will now be submitted to Boeing as a pre-ratified agreement. The responsibility is now on the company to accept this deal and end the strike immediately.
We remain on strike. Stay strong, stay united, and stay on the picket lines. Your solidarity has brought us this far, and it is our strength on those lines that will carry us over the finish line.
We have stood together for nearly seven weeks on strike, and your voice has been heard loud and clear: we are ready to return to work if Boeing accepts this agreement. Now it’s up to Boeing to do the right thing.
We will continue to communicate all updates to you promptly.
In solidarity,
Your IAM District 837 Bargaining Committee