Boeing Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg’s efforts to reshape the company’s culture are facing a critical test as labor activism surges across its United States operations, threatening to disrupt fighter-jet production lines.

Ortberg has emphasized civility, respect, and openness as the company seeks to recover from years of internal crises, including whistleblower allegations of retaliatory management.

In internal communications, the CEO has repeatedly called for “working together” across all levels of the company.

However, these cultural goals are colliding with worker grievances over pay and pensions, which were curtailed in long-term contracts during the last decade.

As Boeing moves toward shorter-term agreements and near-constant negotiations, lingering resentment from previous labour practices has resurfaced.

The tension is evident in the St. Louis area, where Boeing executives are set to meet union leaders on Monday to resolve a three-week strike.

The disruption follows a significant work stoppage earlier this year by Seattle-area hourly workers—their first strike since 2008.

Boeing’s labour unrest reflects broader trends in aerospace and aviation, as workforce shortages empower unionized employees.

“Labour is having a moment across the board,” said Ron Epstein, analyst at Bank of America Securities Inc.

He noted that unions have strengthened their bargaining power since the Covid-19 pandemic, as there aren’t enough skilled mechanics to replace retiring baby boomers.

“You can’t just hire a bunch of people to fill these roles,” Epstein added.

Across the sector, Airbus SE employees in the United Kingdom are preparing for potential strikes, Air Canada flight attendants recently halted operations, and machinists at RTX Corp. staged a three-week walkout earlier this year, delaying aircraft engine shipments. At GE Aerospace, machinists last week authorized strike action at two facilities.