The walkout of more than 3,200 Boeing workers on Monday could delay the rollout of the next‑generation F‑47 fighter jet, a cornerstone of plans to cement future US air superiority.
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Boeing workers at the aircraft company's fighter jet production bases in Missouri and Illinois went on strike on Monday as around 3,200 workers voted to reject a modified four-year labour agreement, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union said Sunday.
The strikes could delay the timeline for the production of the new sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet, a project personally backed by US President Donald Trump, who has called it the "most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built.”
“In terms of all of the attributes of a fighter jet, there's never been anything even close to it," he added.
Some US outlets reported that the name of the jet, the F-47, was a nod to him being the 47th US president.
Workers on strike
In a post on X, the union said that “3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough.”
The vote followed members’ rejection last week of an earlier proposal from the troubled aerospace giant, which had included a 20% wage increase over four years.
“IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defence systems that keep our country safe,” said Sam Cicinelli, Midwest territory general vice president for the union, in a statement.
“They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognises their unmatched expertise.”
At the time of the earlier vote, union leaders had recommended approving the offer, calling it a “landmark agreement” and saying it would improve medical, pension and overtime benefits.
The union members rejected the latest proposal after a weeklong cooling-off period.
“We’re disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules," said Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president and general manager, and senior St. Louis site executive.
"We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers.”
Trouble at Boeing
Boeing has been struggling after two of its Boeing 737 Max airplanes crashed, one in Indonesia in 2018 and the other in Ethiopia in 2019, killing 346 people. In June 2025, one of Boeing's Dreamliner planes, operated by Air India, crashed, killing at least 260 people.
The F-47 contract terminates Lockheed Martin’s long-standing monopoly on US stealth fighter production—ending nearly 20 years of dominance since the F‑22 and F‑35 programs and providing Boeing with a major financial lifeline after high-profile losses.
Trump has tried to resuscitate the once industry leader by weaving in the purchase of Boeing commercial liners into a recent tariff deal with the European Union.
Last week, Boeing reported that its second-quarter revenue had improved and losses had narrowed. The company lost $611 million or €528 million in the second quarter, compared to a loss of $1.44 billion or €1.24 million during the same period last year.
