Tentative Deal Reached for Boeing Defense and Machinists Union

Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) is a premier division of The Boeing Company specializing in the research, development, production, and support of advanced military aircraft, space systems, and weapons technology. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, BDS is one of the largest defense and aerospace contractors globally, employing approximately 17,000 people across 20 countries and 49 U.S. states, generating revenues of $23.2 billion in 2022[3][5]. BDS's portfolio encompasses a broad range of cutting-edge products and services critical to national and international security. These include fixed-wing military aircraft such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-15, KC-46A tanker, and T-7A Red Hawk; rotary-wing platforms like the CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache; and unmanned systems such as the MQ-25 Stingray and Scan Eagle drones[1][4]. The division also leads in space and missile systems, managing major programs like NASA’s Space Launch System, the International Space Station, government and commercial satellites, missile defense, and weapons systems[1][4]. Historically, Boeing has been pivotal in ushering in the jet age and advancing rotorcraft technology, establishing itself as a cornerstone of aerospace innovation. BDS continues this legacy by delivering digitally advanced, efficiently produced, and intelligently supported solutions that provide decisive mission advantages. Its operations span vertical lift, air dominance, mobility and surveillance, and space and intelligence systems, including classified programs and advanced research units like Phantom Works[4][6]. Under CEO Ted Colbert's leadership, BDS maintains a strong focus on integrating open systems architectures for rapid capability upgrades to outpace evolving threats. It serves a diverse customer base including the U.S. government and international partners, with about 26% of revenues coming from foreign military sales[3][6][7]. Notably, BDS is instrumental in several national and global defense initiatives,

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is a prominent labor union founded on May 5, 1888, by Thomas W. Talbot and 18 other railroad machinists in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally named the Order of United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers, the union was established to combat wage cuts and improve working conditions specifically for machinists, who faced grueling labor and job insecurity during the industrial boom[1][2][4]. Talbot envisioned a craft-focused union that provided unemployment, illness, and accident insurance while securing recognition for machinists' skills. Early on, the union had restrictive membership policies, initially excluding women, non-citizens, and Black workers, but it evolved over time to become more inclusive[1][5][6]. The IAM rapidly expanded, holding its first major convention in 1889, adopting a constitution, and publishing the *Machinists Monthly Journal*[1][3]. It became international by the early 1890s, establishing locals in Canada and Mexico, and affiliating with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1895[3]. Throughout its history, the IAM achieved significant labor victories, including securing an eight-hour workday by 1915, winning paid vacations in many contracts by the 1930s, and pioneering union agreements in the aerospace and air transport industries[2][3][5]. The union also played a crucial role in founding the AFL’s Metal Trades Department and supported wartime efforts during World War II, which boosted its membership[2][6]. Notably, the IAM has adapted to changing industrial landscapes, expanding beyond railroad machinists to include aerospace workers, auto mechanics, and other skilled trades. Today, it remains a key force advocating for workers’ rights in aerospace and related technologies, reflecting its deep roots in both traditional manufacturing and modern innovation[1][2]. The IAM's emblem—a flywheel, caliper, and machi