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ST. LOUIS – One day after rejecting Boeing’s latest offer, striking machinists in the St. Louis area are making their own offer to the aerospace giant. Sunday’s three-hour vote followed days of renewed talks with a federal mediator. After three previous rejections, Boeing presented what it called a revised five-year deal, featuring 24% wage increases, a $4,000 ratification bonus, and $3,000 in restricted stock units that would vest over three years. By that afternoon, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 leadership confirmed its members voted against the offer. Boeing claimed the union rejected the contract offer by a narrow margin—51% to 49%. However, union members who spoke with FOX 2 News after the vote said the offer still fell short of contracts reached at other Boeing sites around the country, with St. Louis workers arguing the contract had become more demanding, with fewer improvements to benefits and retirement plans. The union's counteroffer calls for a four-year contract instead of a five-year deal. They're asking for a $10,000 ratification bonus, with $5,000 up front and the other $5,000 paid in year three. The union is also backing off its 8% 401(k) match demand. That had been a sticking point for some union members as Boeing ended its pension plan. The IAM 837 strike against Boeing began on Aug. 4. More than 3,200 St. Louis-area Boeing employees are demanding improved pay, bonuses, and retirement benefits. The striking workers are responsible for building and modifying advanced military aircraft, including the F-15 and F/A-18, which are essential to U.S. national security.
