Boeing Defense plans to replace striking workers with new hires

By Dan Catchpole

Sept 4 (Reuters) - Boeing Defense BA.N plans to hire new workers to replace striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers who assemble munitions, fighters and other military aircraft in the St. Louis area, the company said in a message to employees on Thursday.

"Today, we’re starting the process to hire permanent replacement workers for manufacturing roles," Boeing Defense Vice President Dan Gillian said in a message to employees on Thursday. "This will ensure we’re properly staffed to keep supporting our customers."

Boeing has used non-union employees to keep production going since the strike began on August 4, after the 3,200 members of IAM District 837 voted 67% to reject the company's latest four-year contract offer. Production has slowed on some programs, Gillian said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Boeing is open to "minor adjustments" to the offer rejected by IAM members, not substantial ones, he said during the briefing.

Job openings are being posted Thursday, followed by a job fair on September 16, he said in Thursday's message, which was shared with Reuters.

"Once these new manufacturing employees are hired, they will undergo the same training and certifications that we require of all our teammates," he said.

"We're sorry to hear that," IAM District 837 president Tom Boelling told Reuters. "I'd rather have them come back to the table and work this out."

IAM International President Brian Bryant said in a public statement that "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."