Top machinists union officials and a Democratic congressman joined striking workers outside a Boeing Defense facility near St. Louis on Thursday, pressing the company for a contract closer to an agreement reached with its Seattle-area workers.

Workers hold signs during a walkout by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) over contract negotiations, outside Boeing company's facility, in Berkeley, Missouri,

Boeing Co. and union leaders representing striking workers at its St. Louis-area defense factories will return to the bargaining table Monday, as they aim to end a three-week long impasse.