St. Louis-area machinists on Sunday voted 51% to 49% against a modified contract after striking for three months over what the union said have been “insulting” proposals from Boeing.

The vote marked the fourth time the union has struck down company proposals. A vote was also held in mid-September for a union-proposed contract that passed 90%-10%, but the company refused that deal.

The union has voted five times on proposal variations, including its own proposal, since contract negotiations began this summer.

Members on Sunday rejected the company’s latest offer , which added a 1.5% general wage increase and a 2.5% lump sum in year four for top-paid employees.

It also included $3,000 of restricted stock units but cut down on attendance additives. Union representatives said the

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