The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 837, which represents about 2,500 employees in the St. Louis area, voted June 13 to reject the best and final contract offer The Boeing Company presented earlier in the week. Boeing responded with the following statement:
"We are disappointed the membership of IAM 837 has rejected our contract proposal and has decided to strike. The work we perform here in St. Louis is critically important to our country and the men and women of our armed services. The fair and equitable contract we put forward recognizes the contributions made by our union employees in terms of enhanced salary, benefits and pension."
