Late last month, St. Louis-area Boeing machinists voted down a proposed contract from the company for the fourth time by the narrowest margin so far: 51% to 49%.

The contract attempted to address union members’ concerns by adding a year of pay raises for top-paid employees, but it subtracted from attendance bonuses.

With that close call, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 strike continues into its fourth month. After the vote, the union made a counterproposal, but Boeing immediately rejected it and did not offer an alternative.

Boeing officials said the close result indicates many workers understand the value of their offer. It added that they are continuing to pursue hiring replacement workers.

The latest contract rejection by Boeing led the

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