Can Boeing Defense Replace Striking Workers with New Hires?

Boeing is familiar with the far-reaching consequences of a drawn-out strike, but this time, it’s taking an unusual route to resolution. Boeing Defense is replacing striking workers with new hires to minimize the disruption to its production. After Boeing’s union contract negotiations did not yield satisfactory results, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union workers began a strike on August 4, in order to demand a better contract.

One month in, the Boeing strike continues. Instead of finding common ground with workers, Boeing Defense is set to replace the striking workers with newer, non-unionized workers who can get the job done.

Boeing Defense is planning to replace striking workers, but its production won’t ramp up to the desired levels even with the new hires.(Image: Pexels)

Boeing Defense Looks to Replace Striking Workers with New Recruits: A Timeline of Events

On August 4, 2025, approximately 3,200 IAM District 837 members began a strike against Boeing Defense. The union had rejected the terms of a previous 4-year contract offer and conducted an internal vote to determine whether they would go on strike. 

After 67% voted in favor of the strike, workers marched off the job to demand better wages, benefits, and working conditions. While it appeared that both parties would shortly renew negotiations to broker a deal that was acceptable to all, that does not appear to have been the case.

Almost one month into the strike, Boeing Defense stated that it would consider making “minor adjustments” to the contract to appease workers, but that the “economics of the deal” would remain the same. District 837 president Tom Boelling brushed aside the offer of minor improvements, claiming that workers were “fighting for dignity” and would not stand for paltry adjustments to the contract.

As Negotiations Stagnate, Boeing Turns to Hiring New Workers

While both parties claimed that they were open to talks, the lack of a substantially improved contract offer left matters to stagnate. Through the course of the strike, Boeing had opted to pull in employees from other areas of operation to ensure the production did not stall. This temporary measure does not appear to have served the company enough, and Boeing Defense is now set to replace the striking workers.

“Today, we’re starting the process to hire permanent replacement workers for manufacturing roles,” Boeing Defense Vice President Dan Gillian told employees on Thursday, according to Reuters. “This will ensure we’re properly staffed to keep supporting our customers.” The Boeing defense strike is being conducted by workers who are in charge of building fighter jets and other military aircraft centered in the St. Louis area.

Boeing Defense’s aim to replace striking workers will take the shape of a job fair on September 16, when the company will start looking for more labor to fill its ranks. The company also previously announced a new apprenticeship program for machinists in order to help its team continue to grow. 

Is Boeing Allowed to Replace Striking Workers?

The IAM is certainly not pleased to see the news regarding Boeing’s decision to ignore their efforts and hire anew. “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,” IAM International President Brian Bryant said in a statement.

For now, it’s unclear if the Boeing union negotiations will see any progress as both parties are standing their ground on the current contract offer. There appears to be little the union workers can do to force Boeing into submitting a better offer. Experts suggest that federal laws allow Boeing to continue on its path to replacing striking workers, which makes legal recourse difficult.

Striking workers who are replaced will then be put on a “recall list” where they will be called upon if a position becomes available for them. The replacement workers may be laid off following the end of the strike, but it is more likely that Boeing Defense will opt to hold on to non-unionized workers in that case. A poor turnout at the job fair could push Boeing to reconsider its contract, but that is an unlikely scenario.

Will Boeing’s Strategy of Hiring New Workers Be Successful?

Once new workers are hired, they likely won’t turn productive immediately. They will have to undergo training and certification programs similar to other team members before they become fully functional members of the workforce. Security clearance for some of these jobs is essential, which alone could take up to six months. Boeing may avoid hiring for such roles and rely on existing talent to close the gaps, but the shortage of hands could lead to production delays.

This strategy will take a while to unfold, meaning that Boeing Defense won’t return to full functionality for a while despite the hiring. With the public conflict unfolding at Boeing, it is also unclear just how many candidates will apply for jobs at Boeing. 

With 3,200 workers on strike, a good chunk of the production team has paused ties with the company. Their expertise and familiarity with the job could help Boeing get back on track at a much faster rate than the hiring of new workers, but proposing a better contract comes with additional expenses. 

The company may be able to succeed in meeting production goals with new hires, but it does not ensure that such conflict won’t arise in the future when new hires also unionize. Boeing Defense’s gamble with replacing striking workers could pay off, but it is a strategy that is rarely recommended. 

Do you agree with Boeing Defense’s strategy to replace striking workers with new hires? Let us know what you think. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.