IAM Union and allies across the labor movement joined together for a powerful rally to support more than 3,200 IAM District 837 members on strike at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis region.
IAM District 837 members have been on strike since Aug. 4 after Boeing refused to negotiate a fair contract. The union has formally submitted a membership-ratified four-year contract proposal to Boeing, putting the responsibility squarely on the company to end the strike.
“I’m here to tell Boeing: you are not just fighting 3,200 workers. You are fighting 600,000 IAM Union members across North America,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “You are fighting millions more across the labor movement. And you are fighting a community that will never be broken!”
These highly skilled IAM Union members build and maintain the F-15, F/A-18, and advanced missile and defense systems that are essential to U.S. national security. Union, community, and labor leaders say Boeing’s refusal to negotiate a fair contract not only threatens workers’ livelihoods, but also endangers America’s military readiness.
“We’re seeing this everywhere, and it’s called corporate greed. These are attacks on our dignity,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “If Boeing can afford to give $100 million in golden parachutes to failed CEOs, then they can afford to pay your workers a fair share of the wealth we create.”
“Every picket line, picket sign, and every hour we hold this line is a message to everyone in this country that – we will not be silenced, we will not be divided, and we will not back down!” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “The Midwest Territory is with you. The IAM International is with you. And the entire labor movement is with you!”
Hundreds turn out in for rally in solidarity with Boeing workers St. Louis Post Dispatch
“You build the F-15. You build the F/A-18. You’re going to build the F-47. You build the systems that defend this nation,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “That is world-class work. And world-class work deserves world-class respect!”
The rally, hosted by IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling, also featured strong support from labor leaders across Missouri and beyond.
‘Fight together, win together’: Striking Boeing workers rally in St. Louis Missouri Independent
Jon Holden, President of IAM District 751 in the Pacific Northwest—who led more than 30,000 IAM members through a 53-day Boeing strike in 2024—stood in solidarity with St. Louis workers Jake Hummel, President of the Missouri AFL-CIO, reaffirmed the full backing of the state federation. Patrick Kellett, President of the St. Louis Labor Council, highlighted the deep roots of labor solidarity in the city. John Dimas, President of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), pledged continued support from Boeing’s engineers and technical workers.
Support for District 837 members has poured in from across the labor movement, local unions, elected leaders, and community allies. The rally underscored a message of solidarity: workers in St. Louis deserve the same respect, pay, and retirement security as Boeing workers nationwide.
IAM Union members made it clear — they will not be divided, and they will not accept second-class treatment.
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