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

boeing Defense workers approved a new contract Thursday ending a more than three-month strike that has delayed production of the manufacturer’s F-15 fighter jets and other programs.

Workers rejected an earlier proposal, with the union claiming the proposal failed to address their concerns.

The proposed contract, which about 3,200 workers voted on Thursday, includes a 24% pay increase over five years and an upfront bonus of $6,000, up from $3,000, but removes Boeing’s previous offer of $4,000 to be paid later. This will increase average base pay from $75,000 to $109,000 over the term of the contract, Boeing said.

St. Louis-based workers represented by International Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 went on strike on August 4, the first shutdown since 1996.

IAM District 837 said in a statement Thursday that it is “proud of our members to have fought together and stand ready to return to manufacturing the world’s most advanced military aircraft.”

Boeing’s defense division accounted for about 30% of the company’s $65.5 billion in revenue in the first nine months of 2025.

“We are pleased with the results and look forward to reuniting our entire team on November 17 to support our customers,” Boeing said in a statement.

Morgan Stanley CEO Kelly Ortberg said at the Morgan Stanley Investor Conference on September 11, “The air strikes have impacted our fighter production, so some of our F-15 and F-18 modified aircraft and munitions remain in service.”

Ortberg said last month that Boeing brought in workers other than IAM representatives during a strike on some products.

Union members are expected to return to the Boeing factory as early as Sunday.

Defense Forces workers went on strike nearly a year after more than 32,000 unionized machinists who make commercial aircraft walked off the job for seven weeks following failed contract negotiations last year.