Boeing reported $23 billion in revenue for the third quarter and a defense backlog of $76 billion, marking its first positive cash flow since 2023. However, over 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 remain on strike in St. Louis as they seek a new contract.
The IAM District 837 workers are responsible for building and supporting several key military aircraft programs, including the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25, and the upcoming F-47 fighter jet. These programs are critical to U.S. and allied national defense. The ongoing strike has already led to public acknowledgment by the U.S. Air Force that deliveries of the F-15EX have been delayed.
During Boeing’s earnings call on Wednesday, company executives addressed the impact of the strike and discussed plans to minimize disruptions while also talking about efforts to reshape company culture.
“Boeing’s so-called contingency plan is failing because they can’t replace the skill, precision, and experience of IAM Union members in St. Louis who have spent their careers building the world’s most advanced military products,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “If Boeing is serious about culture change and rebuilding its brand, it starts with respecting the people who make its success possible — not trying to sideline them. Investors must also take into account Boeing’s continued failure to manage labor relations responsibly. The company’s refusal to engage in fair bargaining is not only hurting workers and national defense programs — it’s a risk to Boeing’s long-term stability, reputation, and credibility.”
Boeing noted plans for significant future investment in its St. Louis operations after securing a contract for the F-47 jet—something Bryant attributes to union members’ expertise.
“The workers whose craftsmanship and innovation made these investments possible deserve to share fully in the prosperity they’ve helped create,” Bryant added.
IAM Union members at other Boeing sites continue production on commercial aircraft that contribute to Boeing’s financial recovery.
“Boeing’s executives can talk about transformation all they want, but the real transformation begins when they treat all employees as one Boeing,” Bryant continued. “The company hasn’t delivered a single new F-15 during this 13-week strike, and production delays are now rippling into the 777X program. It’s time for Boeing to end this strike, get our members back to work, and live up to the values they claim to be rebuilding.”
Negotiations between IAM Union representatives and Boeing are ongoing. On Monday, IAM submitted a revised contract proposal that included concessions on retirement benefits; however, Boeing rejected it without offering a counterproposal. As a result, IAM filed another Unfair Labor Practice charge against Boeing for allegedly refusing to bargain in good faith.
The extended strike has attracted bipartisan attention from Congress. Sixteen members of the House Armed Services Committee called on Boeing this week to negotiate fairly with IAM representatives due to concerns about worsening delivery delays and potential impacts on national security.
IAM represents around 600,000 active and retired members across various industries throughout North America.
