The local machinists union has voted down Boeing St. Louis’ third contract proposal, continuing the strike that started on Aug. 4.
The union reported that 57% of the members who voted rejected the agreement.
This comes after the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 negotiating committee reached a tentative agreement with Boeing on Wednesday. The five-year deal would have raised the average general wage increase from 40% to 45% and added a $4,000 signing bonus.
The signing bonus in the second offer was originally $5,000, but that was removed when the contract was voted down Aug. 3.
It did not make changes to the 401(k), vacation time or other benefits from the previous contract offer.
Chad Hozapfel said one of the main reasons the union rejected the offer was a slow progression to the top of the pay scale. He said the industry standard is five to seven years, and Boeing’s is 15.
“You have a company that's making billions, and we don't see them going up and working on the aircraft,” Hozapfel said. “We're the ones that are making it happen. We just want our fair share.”
The contract would have given employees in progression an 8% general wage increase in the first year and a 4% general wage increase the following four years. The highest-paid workers would have had that same increase, but instead receive a 5% lump sum in the second and fourth years of the contract. This discrepancy was another issue that many union members had with the contract.
“The younger crowd realized that it wasn't in everyone's best interest, so we all stuck together, showed solidarity,” Hozapfel said. “We want what's better for the collective, not just a small portion.”
Ken Kellogg voted yes on the contract.
“I've been without a paycheck for two months, and it's really starting to weigh on me,” Kellogg said. “I just bought a house. I'm already two weeks late on my first house payment, so I really wanted to go back to work.”
He said he thinks the people who voted against the deal had problems with the signing bonus being $1,000 lower than it was originally and the fact that it was a five-year deal rather than four.
Kevin Snow, who voted against the contract, has been working for Boeing for 38 years. He said he wants a better pension plan – his pension was frozen at 27 years of service.
Boeing St. Louis Vice President of Air Dominance Dan Gillian said the company is disappointed by the rejection.
“We will continue to execute our contingency plan, including hiring permanent replacement workers, as we maintain support for our customers,” Gillian said.
The IAM union said in a statement that the proposal did not include a sufficient signing bonus relative to what other Boeing workers have received or a raise in 401(k) benefits.
“Our members will always have the final say in their futures,” said IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “They are standing shoulder to shoulder.”
No further talks between the union and the company are planned at this time.
This story has been updated with comments from union members and the company.
