BERKELEY, Mo. – On the same day Boeing holds a job fair to replace striking St. Louis workers, the striking union is asking members to approve a “counteroffer.”  

The strike is now hitting its 7th week, and it’s starting to hurt businesses outside of Boeing, including a family-owned restaurant.

More than 3,200 members of I-A-M District 837 have been walking the picket line for more than six weeks. 

On Friday, they’ll vote on a four-year contract proposal put forward by their union after Boeing declined to improve an earlier deal.

“I think it will pass, but I think we deserve more. It’s a back-and-forth communication. Hopefully Boeing communicates with this; all they have been saying is, ‘We are demanding more and more,’” said Brandon Killbrew, a union member.

The union says the latest offer includes improved 401k contributions, stronger wage increases and a compromise on ratification bonuses.

If members approve, the deal would be sent to Boeing for final acceptance. If not, the strike continues. 

OL’ Henry in Berkeley is a popular spot for Boeing employees for breakfast and lunch. 

Ada Taylor, who is the owner of OL’ Henry, tells FOX 2 that the business has dropped since the strike and she hopes they reach a deal soon to bring customers back.

“It’s been going down, and this time of year, revenue goes up due to the fact that businesses are back, schools are back open and teachers are back to work,” Taylor said. “But we did not see that it’s an impact on this business here because a lot of Boeing people come here and eat.”

In response to the IAM District 837 union-proposed strike settlement offer, Boeing released a statement that says:

“This publicity stunt is a waste of time that will not help the parties reach a deal. The union continues to create false expectations by voting on an offer we never made, including terms we’ve expressly told them we won’t accept. 

Our main objective is to return our 3,200 teammates to work within the economic framework of the deal the union has twice endorsed. They are choosing an approach that will prolong the strike for our teammates who have already lost an average of $15,000 in income,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president. 

The company says its main objective is to return 3,200 teammates to work, arguing the strike has already cost workers an average of $15,000 in lost income. 

In response to Boeing calling the union’s attempt to end the strike a “waste of time,” IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett released a statement to FOX 2, saying:

“The union notified Boeing and a federal mediator, following the latest rejected company offer, that we remain prepared to meet and negotiate a fair offer. 

The company rejected our offer to meet. In the meantime, in the absence of Boeing’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations, the union is taking bold steps to settle the strike through a more than reasonable offer. 

Boeing has consistently said they need assurances on what our members will accept —and that’s exactly what our pre-ratification strike settlement vote will help determine,” Bennett said.

For small business owners like those at OL’Henry’s, it’s personal. It’s a strike that isn’t just about contracts but about community connections.

“We had them coming throughout the week, so yes, we miss their revenue. I’ll be glad when they go back to work,” Taylor said.