Boeing St. Louis Workers Reject Contract, Strike Expected

More than 3,200 union workers at Boeing's three St. Louis-area plants are expected to go on strike after voting to reject a proposed contract that offered a 20% wage increase over four years. The International Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, representing District 837, announced that its members voted overwhelmingly against the agreement on Sunday. The current contract was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Central time, but a "cooling off" period will delay the start of the strike until August 4.

Union leaders had previously recommended approval of the contract, describing it as a significant improvement to pay, medical, pension, and overtime benefits. However, the union stated that the offer "fell short of addressing the priorities and sacrifices" of its members. In a statement, the union said, "Our members are standing together to demand a contract that respects their work and ensures a secure future."

Dan Gillan, general manager and senior Boeing executive in St. Louis, said the company is preparing for a strike and described the proposal as "the richest contract offer" ever made to the St. Louis union. Gillan also noted that no further talks are scheduled with the union at this time. The plants affected produce military aircraft, including the U.S. Navy's Super Hornet and the Air Force's Red Hawk training aircraft.