(Corrects to clarify IAM's Bryant was referring to a retirement provision in the Seattle contract, not the full contract, in paragraph 9)

By Dan Catchpole

(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 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 o

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