Catherwood LibraryILR School

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 voted by an overwhelming majority to approve strike action. The union represents 2,600 machinists at a Boeing defense systems plant in Hazelwood, Missouri. The union and plant management have had difficulties in negotiations, and the strike vote yesterday authorizes action if a new contract agreement is not reached by the time the current one expires, on June 13. Members of the union have expressed unhappiness with several of the offers currently on the table, particularly those that include what has been termed an 'erosion of seniority.' Workers are worried that job protection will no longer be based on security, in an era when job protection is especially important to employees. Pensions and health care have also been sticking points.