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.

About 3,200 union members at Boeing facilities in Missouri and Illinois went on strike at midnight on Monday after rejecting an offer from the company, the union said.