More than half of unionized machinists at Boeing’s St. Louis fighter-jet plant are volunteering for buyouts, according to the union.
The International Association of Machinists said 1,317 members volunteered to leave the company by the offer’s July 31 deadline. The union represents about 2,400 Boeing machinists.
In a statement, the union said the first 162 members would retire on Sept. 30. The separation dates continue monthly until September 2015.
Boeing would not confirm the 1,317 figure, and union officials could not be reached for comment on Friday.
“We told the employees that, if you meet the qualifications, you can participate,” a Boeing spokesman said. Asked if all the volunteers qualified, he said he would have to check.
The buyout offer was part of a seven-year contract extension approved by the union membership in February. At the time, the union and company said the new contract would make the operation more competitive.
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It comes as doubt grows about the future of fighter plane production at the north St. Louis County plant. Boeing is urgently seeking plane orders to keep its St. Louis-made F-15E Strike Eagle and F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fighter jets in production.
Machinists were eligible for the buyout if they had 25 years with Boeing or were otherwise eligible to retire. They would receive $5,000 plus increased early retirement benefits.
Boeing offered last spring early retirement to certain management employees in St. Louis.
