Boeing to hire replacement workers as St. Louis strike drags on
ST. LOUIS - Boeing will move forward with hiring replacement workers as an ongoing strike by St. Louis-area union workers enters its second month.
In a memo sent to employees, Boeing St. Louis Vice President of Air Dominance Dan Gillian said the company has started posting positions and plans to hold a job fair on Sept. 16.
"Today, we’re starting the process to hire permanent replacement workers for manufacturing roles. This will ensure we’re properly staffed to keep supporting our customers," Gillian said.
More than 3,000 Boeing defense workers remain on strike across the St. Louis region.
The most-recent contract offer from Boeing on Aug. 3 initially included a 20% pay increase over four years and a $5,000 bonus for newer hires.
Leaders from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union 837 say Boeing has since removed signing bonuses from its contract offers.
Brian Bryant, President of IAM District 837, said in a statement to FOX 2, "Instead of going back to the negotiating table, Boeing decided to instead hold a media event to say they are doing nothing to end a nearly five-week strike that they admitted is now having an effect on production for our military. Now, Boeing is doubling down on its mismanagement by saying it plans to hire replacement workers to build military aircraft and equipment, instead of negotiating with their dedicated, generational and skilled workforce."
The memo sent to Boeing employees can be read below in its entirety.
Team,
As the strike reaches the one-month mark today, I want to thank you for your resilience and all you’re doing to support our customers. Our contingency plan is working, and I’m proud to say we continue to deliver and fly our fighters, produce JDAMs at the same pace as before the strike, and complete important testing milestones for our development programs. We could not do this without you.
As we continue operations, we also want our entire team back together as soon as possible. Our 3,200 IAM-represented employees are the best in the business and a key part of our future.
This is the best contract we’ve ever offered to IAM 837, which the union initially lauded as a landmark deal, and we want a quick resolution to end the strike. We have consistently communicated we are willing to consider changes to our Best and Final Offer that are within the current economic framework.
Unfortunately, the union continues to demand more of everything while also saying it has no control over what it will take to end the strike, driving the parties further apart. As a result, we’re taking the next step in our contingency plan.
Today, we’re starting the process to hire permanent replacement workers for manufacturing roles. This will ensure we’re properly staffed to keep supporting our customers. Job requisitions for permanent replacement workers are now being posted and we will also hold a job fair on Sept. 16. Once these new manufacturing employees are hired, they will undergo the same training and certifications that we require of all our teammates.
As we take these next steps in our contingency plan, let’s continue supporting each other and our customers. Your commitment is greatly appreciated.
-Dan Gillian, Boeing St. Louis Vice President of Air Dominance
