The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Aug. 5, edition that thousands of workers at three Boeing manufacturing plants in the Midwest went on strike early Monday after about 3,200 union members rejected a modified four-year labour agreement. An Associated Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the strike affects facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles, MO., and Mascoutah, Ill., complicating Boeing's efforts to improve its financial situation. The vote came after a week-long cooling-off period after the machinists rejected an earlier proposed contract, which included a 20-per-cent wage increase over four years and $5,000 (U.S.) ratification bonuses. Boeing warned over the weekend that it anticipated the strike after workers rejected its latest offer, which did not further boost the proposed wage hike. However, the proposal removed a scheduling provision that would have affected workers' ability to earn overtime pay. Boeing Air Dominance vice-president Dan Gillian said, "We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking work force can continue supporting our customers."