07:28 AM EDT, 10/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Boeing ( BA ) is expanding plans to replace striking St. Louis-area fighter jet and munitions workers with new hires through year-end, Reuters reported Thursday, citing an internal memo from Boeing ( BA ) Vice President Dan Gillian.

Roughly 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 have reportedly been on strike since Aug. 4.

The first group of replacement staff for munitions production and assembly mechanics begins training on Friday, while the company considers outsourcing some work to third parties, the news outlet reported.

Union officials called the move a bluff, saying that it takes weeks to months of training and that security-clearance delays can also take several months for defense roles, Reuters reported.

Boeing ( BA ) and IAM did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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