Boeing workers at three plants in the U.S. voted on October 26 to reject the company’s latest contract offer and to continue a strike that started almost three months ago.

The strike, by about 3,200 machinists at the midwest plants where military aircraft and weapons are developed, is smaller in scale than a walkout last year by 33,000 Boeing workers who assemble commercial jetliners but threatens to complicate the aerospace company’s progress in regaining its financial footing, reports the Guardian.

“Boeing claimed they listened to their employees – the result of today’s vote proves they have not,” Brian Bryant, the president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said in a statement. “Boeing’s corporate executives continue to insult the very people who build the world’s most advanced military aircraft – the same planes and military systems that keep our servicemembers and nation safe.”

Boeing said in its own statement October 26, “We’re disappointed with the vote result. The union’s statement is misleading since the vote failed by the slimmest of margins, 51% to 49%. With the close result and the increased interest we’re hearing from teammates who want to cross the picket line, it’s clear many understand the value of our offer. We are turning our focus to executing the next phase of our contingency plan in support of our customers.”

The Guardian reports that the five-year offer was largely the same as offers previously rejected by union members. The company reduced the ratification bonus but added $3,000 in Boeing shares that vest over three years and a $1,000 retention bonus in four years. It also improved wage growth for workers at the top of the pay scale in the fourth year of the contract.

Boeing’s defense, space and security business accounts for more than one-third of the company’s revenue. The planemaker is set to report its third-quarter earnings on October 29.