On Saturday Boeing said it was “disappointed” that its contract offer was recommended for rejection by the Union which represents nearly 2500 employees at the plane-maker’s factories in the St Louis Area.

The union representing the workers, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM),said in a statement that it is rejecting Boeing’s, “last, best, and final” contract offer.

The current contract will expire on Monday, July 25th. There will then be a seven day waiting period, after which workers may begin picketing, starting August 1st, if the union votes to reject the contract offer and workers decide to strike.

In a statement, Boeing said it was, “hopeful that our employees will see the value in this offer and vote yes” to accept the offer, which it said offers, “highly competitive” wage increases as well as cash and stock, and among the “most lucrative” 401(k) retirement plans in the nation.

Tom Boelling, and IAM official, said the contract offer failed to meet employee needs on a number of issues. He added, “We will fight for a contract the membership deserves.”