Boeing’s St Louis union workers reject latest offer, will strike on Aug 4
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The workers assemble Boeing’s fighter jets and the MQ-25, an aerial refuelling drone being developed for the US Navy.
PHOTO: AFP
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ST LOUIS, Missouri – Unionised workers who assemble Boeing’s fighter jets in the St Louis area rejected Boeing’s latest contract offer on Aug 3 and will strike at midnight (1pm Singapore time) on Aug 4, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union said.
“IAM District 837 members... deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication and the critical role they play in our nation’s defence,” the union’s business representative Tom Boelling said.
Boeing said it was ready for the action. “We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan,” Boeing Air Dominance vice-president and general manager Dan Gillian said in an e-mail.
“We’re disappointed our employees in St Louis rejected an offer that featured 40 per cent average wage growth,” he added.
Last week, Boeing sent a new contract offer to the union with some minor compensation changes that would benefit senior union members, according to the company. The offer also kept current overtime policies, which Boeing had proposed modifying in the last contract offer.
The union had rejected the previous offer, saying it was insufficient.
The workers assemble Boeing’s fighter jets and the MQ-25, an aerial refuelling drone being developed for the US Navy.
Boeing’s defence division is expanding manufacturing facilities in the St Louis area for the new US Air Force fighter, the F-47A, after it won the contract in 2025. REUTERS
