Striking Boeing Defense Workers Nix Latest Contract Offer

Boeing workers at three Midwest plants where military aircraft and weapons are developed have voted to reject the company’s latest contract offer and to continue a strike that began almost three months ago, Rio Yamat reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The machinists’ union acknowledged that the vote was close but said in a message to members that “very few” workers have crossed the picket line. (Photo: I AM Union)

The strike, involving about 3,200 machinists at plants in Mascoutah, Illinois, and the Missouri cities of St. Louis and St. Charles, is smaller in scale than last year’s walkout by 33,000 Boeing workers who assemble commercial jetliners.

However, it threatens to complicate the aerospace company’s efforts to regain its financial footing.

The strike, involving about 3,200 machinists at plants in Mascoutah, Illinois, and the Missouri cities of St. Louis and St. Charles, is smaller in scale than last year’s walkout by 33,000 Boeing workers who assemble commercial jetliners.

However, it threatens to complicate the aerospace company’s efforts to regain its financial footing.

“Boeing claimed they listened to their employees — the result of today’s vote proves they have not,” said Brian Bryant, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, in a statement.

Boeing said it was disappointed by the result and noted that the vote had been a close one.

The company added that it was increasingly hearing from workers “who want to cross the picket line” and “understand the value of our offer.”

“The union’s statement is misleading,” Boeing claimed, “since the vote failed by the slimmest of margins, 51% to 49%. We are turning our focus to executing the next phase of our contingency plan in support of our customers.”

The machinists’ union acknowledged that the vote was close but said in a message to members that “very few” workers have crossed the picket line. “Our solidarity remains strong, and the company’s claim otherwise is wrong,” the union said.