Boeing Faces Second Strike in Under a Year as 3,200 Machinists Walk Off Jobs

Boeing is grappling with another labor disruption as 3,200 hourly machinists began striking at three defense plants in the St. Louis, Missouri area Monday at midnight.

Members of the International Association of Machinists voted to authorize the strike, demanding better wages and work schedules. The walkout affects Boeing's defense operations, adding to the aerospace giant's mounting challenges.

This marks Boeing's second major strike in less than a year. The company previously faced a strike by 33,000 commercial aircraft workers, which proved costly for the manufacturer already struggling with six years of financial losses and business setbacks across multiple divisions.

The current strike targets Boeing's defense and space unit, which has been among the divisions hit by the company's broader operational difficulties. During last week's earnings call, CEO Kelly Ortberg expressed confidence that Boeing could absorb the financial impact of the strike, suggesting the costs would be significantly lower than those from the previous year's commercial unit walkout.

Boeing's labor troubles come as the company continues working to stabilize its operations following years of safety concerns, production delays, and regulatory scrutiny that have damaged its reputation and financial performance.