Boeing defense workers approve new contract, ending more than 3-month strike

Boeing defense workers approved on Thursday on a new contract that will end a more than three-month strike that has delayed the manufacturer’s production of F-15 fighter jets and other programs.

The workers rejected previous offers, with their union saying the proposals failed to address concerns.

The contract proposal the workers voted on Thursday includes 24% wage increases over five years as well as a $6,000 upfront bonus, up from $3,000, though it gets rid of a previous Boeing proposal for $4,000 in payments later on.

The mostly St. Louis-based workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837, went on strike on Aug. 4, their first stoppage since 1996.

“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,” IAM District 837 said in a statement Thursday.

Boeing’s defense unit accounted for about 30% of the $65.5 billion in sales Boeing brought in during the first nine months of 2025.

“We’re pleased with the results and look forward to bringing our full team back together on Nov. 17 to support our customers,” Boeing said.

“The strike impacted our fighter production, so F-15, F-18 mods as well as some of our munitions work,” CEO Kelly Ortberg said at a Morgan Stanley investor conference on Sept. 11.

Boeing brought in non-IAM-represented workers during the strike for some of its products, Ortberg said last month.

The union workers will return to Boeing factories again as early as Sunday.

The defense-unit’s comes about a year after more than 32,000 unionized machinists who build commercial aircraft walked off the job for seven weeks after failed contract talks last year.