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Striking workers want deal closer to 38% wage hike, IAM

official

says

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Boeing ( BA ) executive defends company's last offer as strong

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F-15, F/A-18 fighter production lines remain shut down

By Dan Catchpole

Aug 21 (Reuters) - Top machinists union officials and a

Democratic congressman joined striking workers outside a Boeing

Defense facility near St. Louis on Thursday, pressing the

company for a contract closer to an agreement reached with its

Seattle-area workers.

However, Boeing's ( BA ) top St. Louis executive, Dan

Gillian, on Thursday defended the company's offer that was

rejected by the 3,200 members of the International Association

of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837.

The workers went on strike on August 4, shutting down

production of the F-15 and F/A-18 fighters.

"Our offer was strong then and is strong now with an average

of 40% wage growth," Gillian said in a statement on Thursday.

There currently is no plan to resume negotiations, officials

on both sides said.

"The IAM is ready to meet with Boeing ( BA )," IAM International

President Brian Bryant told Reuters.

Bryant was among the union leaders who joined the striking

workers in picketing, along with U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell, a

Missouri Democrat, who represents the area.

Workers want a contract offer with higher general wage

increases, to speed up how long it takes to reach the top of the

wage scale, and improvements to the company's 401(k) retirement

plan, Bryant said.

"In reality, they're going to have to offer up the same

thing they offered in Seattle," he said, referring to a

four-year contract approved in November by the roughly 33,000

members of the IAM District 751, who assemble most of Boeing's ( BA )

jetliners in the Northwest.

That contract included a 38% general wage increase over four

years, plus higher retirement plan contributions, restoration of

an annual bonus, a $12,000 signing bonus, and a pledge to build

Boeing's ( BA ) next commercial jet in the Seattle area, if the program

is launched within the contract's duration.

The offer rejected by St. Louis-area workers included a 20%

general wage increase, a $5,000 ratification bonus and more

vacation time and sick leave.