“A strike will begin at midnight on Monday, Aug. 4.”
Members of the union’s local chapter “have spoken loud and clear, they deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation’s defense,” said IAM District 837 representative Tom Boelling.
The American aerospace giant’s initial proposal, which included a 20 percent wage increase over four years and more vacation time, was rejected a week earlier.
The new offer doubled the wage increase, according to Boeing.
“We’re disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40 percent average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules,” Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president and senior St. Louis, Missouri site executive, said in a statement.
“We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers.”
The storied company has been in crisis since last year due to production quality issues and a seven-week strike that crippled two of Boeing’s major assembly plants.
IAM is one of North America’s largest unions, representing some 600,000 members in aerospace, defense, shipbuilding, transportation, health care, manufacturing and other industries. – AFP
