By Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – The union representing 2,500 employees at Boeing plants in St. Charles and Hazelwood will sit down with a federal mediator and the defense company on Friday in an effort to avoid a work stoppage.
The International Association of Machinists District 837 had planned to issue an intent to strike notice Wednesday, which would allow its members to walk picket lines on June 23rd. The union is upset that a new contract does not include a traditional pension for new hires. The union will wait to issue that letter until mediation has a chance to work.
A Boeing statement called the meeting a chance to clarify its "best and final offer." A spokesman for the union says they hope to avoid a strike as well.