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% and included a 20% general wage increase and a $5,000 ratification bonus. It also included increasing periodic raises, more vacation time and sick leave.

“We’re disappointed our employees in St. Louis rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth,” Dan Gillian, Boeing vice president and general manager of the St. Louis facilities, said in a statement.

The offer was la

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