• 3,200 Boeing workers have initiated a strike amid unresolved labor disputes.
• The strike began after the rejection of a revised contract offer that included a 20% wage increase.
• This is the first strike at Boeing's defense division in nearly three decades.
• Workers are demanding compensation that reflects their contributions to U.S. military defense.
• Boeing faced significant operational challenges due to this strike, similar to previous labor actions.

More than 3,200 union members at Boeing facilities in Missouri and Illinois have begun a strike after rejecting a revised labor contract offered by the company. The workers, predominantly assembling F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets as well as other defense equipment, voted against a deal that included a 20% wage increase, claiming it did not adequately address their concerns regarding wage growth and job security, according to SCMP, NPR, and BBC.

Union leaders from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) highlighted that the latest contract offer was barely different from a previous rejected proposal. “IAM District 837 members deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation's defense,” said Tom Boelling, a top union official, as reported by Reuters and The Hill.

Boeing's management expressed disappointment over the rejection of their contract, which they described as featuring "40% average wage growth." Dan Gillian, the company's vice president, stated they were prepared for a strike and had a contingency plan to continue operations. This response comes as Boeing faces financial strains due to past safety issues and strikes, including a significant one last year involving 33,000 workers in their commercial division, according to India Times, India Times, and AA.

The strike notably marks the first actions taken by Boeing's defense workers in nearly three decades, signaling a heightened level of dissatisfaction among the workforce amid increasing demands for equity and recognition in compensation. Workers have expressed concerns about job security as Boeing’s defense production ramps up with new military contracts, including the recent award for the F-47A jet, according to Business Insider, India Times, and TRT Global.