Boeing strike continues: Company rejects union-crafted contract proposal

ST. LOUIS – Striking Boeing union members overwhelmingly approved an offer this morning drafted by their own union that could have ended the walkout by thousands of workers.

But Boeing company officials rejected the union-crafted contract not long after it was approved by the rank and file.

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers or IAM District 837 voted this morning from 8-11 a.m. on the union crafted deal at the St. Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights.

Not long after the voting finished, IAM officials announced that 90% of the union members who cast ballots voted to approve the union crafted contract while only 10% voted against it.

Union leadership called on Boeing officials to accept the union offer and end the strike Friday.

IAM International President Brian Bryant saying, “Our members stood up with courage and voted for a fair, responsible pathway to end this strike…Now, Boeing must honor that decision, accept this deal, and show respect for the skilled workers who are the backbone of its defense business.”

But Boeing officials rejected the union-crafted contract.

Dan Gillian, Boeing’s Air Dominance Vice President and General Manager and Senior St. Louis site executive saying, “It’s unfortunate that union leadership led its members to vote on something that isn’t real. Our previous offer is real and would make our team among the highest paid manufacturing employees in the St. Louis area. Most people would not consider a 45% average wage increase, free primary care, and more vacation time unfair or disrespectful.”

FOX 2 was told the union offer increased 401k contributions, improved raises for top of scale members and included what is being called a ratification bonus compromise.

So far the union has rejected to offers from Boeing.

3,200 IAM 837 members have been striking since August 4th and will continue to strike after today’s developments.

We will see what happens now as this increasingly contentious labor dispute continues between Boeing and IAM 837 with what appears to be no clear end in site.