Boeing workers at three Midwest plants voted Sunday to reject the company's latest contract offer, extending a strike that began almost three months ago.
About 3,200 machinists from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) at plants in Mascoutah, Illinois, and St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, remain on the picket line.
Union leaders said Boeing's proposal failed to address key concerns, including retirement benefits and wage increases for senior workers.
"Boeing claimed they listened to their employees – the result of today's vote proves they have not," IAM International President Brian Bryant said. "Boeing's corporate executives continue to insult the very people who build the world's most advanced military aircraft."
The strike has already delayed deliveries of F-15EX fighter jets and other military programs, though Boeing says its mitigation plan has limited the impact on production.
General Kenneth Wilsbach, in comments submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee, noted the work stoppage has affected delivery schedules to the US Air Force.
According to Reuters, Boeing recently presented a new five-year proposal to its workers, featuring a mix of stock and bonus incentives.
The offer includes $3,000 worth of Boeing shares that employees would receive gradually over three years, along with a $1,000 retention bonus after four years.
The company reduced the ratification bonus compared with prior offers. Boeing Vice President Dan Gillian said some proposed pay increases were reduced to fund other elements of the deal.
The IAM has pushed for higher retirement contributions and a larger ratification bonus, similar to the $12,000 given to striking workers in Boeing's commercial airplane division last year.
Union leaders have accused Boeing of failing to negotiate fairly, taking their concerns to the National Labor Relations Board through an unfair labor practice complaint.
Workers reject Boeing’s latest offer after nearly 3 months on strike https://t.co/wFisoL8Osp pic.twitter.com/6bUsNX0fzD
— New York Post (@nypost) October 26, 2025
Union Rejects Boeing Contract 51%-49% Vote
The strike is smaller than last year's 33,000-worker walkout in the commercial division, but union members report financial strain, relying on $300 weekly strike benefits, second jobs, and belt-tightening.
Boeing noted that striking employees' company-provided health coverage ended on August 30.
Despite the rejection, Boeing said the vote was close, with 51% against and 49% in favor, AP News reported. The company also said it is hearing from workers interested in crossing the picket line.
"We are turning our focus to executing the next phase of our contingency plan in support of our customers," the company stated.
Union officials say negotiations remain stalled over wages, seniority pay, and retirement benefits.
Boeing, meanwhile, argues that union demands exceed the company's cost-of-living projections for the Midwest.
Boeing is expected to report its third-quarter results on Wednesday, with analysts anticipating another unprofitable quarter due to delays on the 777X program.
Bryant emphasized the strike is about fairness. "It's well past time for Boeing to stop cheaping out on the workers who make its success possible and bargain a fair deal that respects their skill and sacrifice," he said.
Originally published on vcpost.com
