More than 3,200 union members who assemble Boeing’s fighter jets in the St. Louis area and Illinois went on strike on Monday after rejecting a second contract offer the previous day. Boeing Defense said it was ready for the work stoppage and it will implement a contingency plan that uses non-labor workers. According to the company, the rejected four-year contract would have raised the average wage by roughly 40 percent and included a 20 percent general wage increase and a $5,000 ratification bonus. It also included increasing periodic raises, more vacation time and sick leave.

Over 3,200 union machinists around St Louis expected to strike at midnight on Monday as they seek new contract

About 3,200 machinists in St. Louis are poised to walk off the job after failing to reach an agreement on wages and retirement benefits.

Boeing said they were ‘disappointed’ by their employees' decision