Contract Will Be Voted On Sunday

After a month of negotiations, Boeing announced this week it has reached a tentative agreement for a new three-year contract with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837, which represents nearly 2,600 workers at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems plants in St. Louis, MO.

If ratified by the union membership, the contract will provide approximately $24,000 in additional compensation over the term of the agreement. The company's pay and benefits package provides an average of 9.5 percent in wage increases, significant improvements in retirement benefits, and a comprehensive and affordable health care program.

"This contract recognizes the contributions employees have made to the company's success and addresses today's business realities so that Boeing St. Louis can remain competitive in the years ahead," said Steve Jacques, IDS vice president of manufacturing and St. Louis lead for the negotiations. "We look forward to getting this contract approved so we can continue to meet the needs of our customers and deliver the amazing products and services they have come to expect from our team."

Key features of the contract offer to approximately 2,500 represented employees include lump-sum payments of $2,500 in 2007, and $2,500 in 2008; and a four percent general wage increases in 2007, with another three percent following in 2009.

The contract also offers a 17 percent increase in pension benefits, to $70 per month for each year of service for employees who retire on or after July 1, 2007.

Workers are scheduled to vote on the contract Sunday, May 20... the same day their current contract expires. Workers voted last month to authorize a strike if a new contract wasn't approved by that time.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.iam837.org