Union workers at Boeing’s fighter jet assembly plants in the St. Louis area have rejected the company’s latest contract offer, setting the stage for a possible strike.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 said its members voted overwhelmingly against the proposal.
Boeing had offered more than 3,200 union members a four-year contract with a 20% general wage increase, a $5,000 ratification bonus, and additional vacation and sick leave. The company said this was the most competitive contract it had ever presented to the union.
Dan Gillian, Boeing’s Air Dominance vice president and head of the St. Louis site, said the company is disappointed with the outcome and has begun implementing its contingency plan. He confirmed that no new talks are scheduled with the union.
The union said the offer did not meet the priorities or reflect the contributions of its skilled members. The current labour agreement expires Sunday, after which a seven-day cooling-off period will begin before a strike can start.
Boeing’s defence unit is expanding its manufacturing operations in the area to build the F-47 fighter for the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance program, which is expected to replace the F-22 Raptor.
