Striking machinists at Boeing Defense approve union's proposed contract that company rejected
- IAM union will send approved offer to Boeing Defense
- Boeing management refused to consider union-proposed contract
- Union seeks larger bonus, retirement contributions, wage hikes
By Dan Catchpole
Striking workers at Boeing Defense approved a four-year contract proposal from union leadership that management has already refused to consider, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced Friday.
On Wednesday, Boeing Defense leadership dismissed the offer, which was unilaterally proposed after talks stopped, as a "publicity stunt." The company has said it would hire replacement workers to assemble munitions, fighters and other military aircraft in the St. Louis area.
The IAM's proposed offer builds on earlier proposals from Boeing Defense, adding a larger ratification bonus than management offered, heftier company contributions to the retirement plan and steeper wage increases for workers at the hourly wage ceiling.
Union officials said they drafted the proposal because the company has not been willing to resume talks since the roughly 3,200 members of IAM District 837 voted 57% to reject Boeing's last offer on September 12.
