After rejecting the company's second proposed contract, union members in the St. Louis area began striking Monday. They said they will not stop until they receive a fair deal.

By early this morning, a few dozen had gathered outside the company's offices north of the airport, marching with picket signs.

Several thousand workers at three Midwest manufacturing plants where Boeing develops military aircraft and weapons went on strike early Monday, potentially complicating the aerospace company's progress in regaining its financial footing.