More than three months into a strike by over 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 in St. Louis, five members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have called on Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg to negotiate in good faith with the union.
The letter to Ortberg was led by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and co-signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). The senators urged Boeing to resolve the labor dispute promptly.
In their message, the senators stated: “bring this strike to an end with an expedited resolution of the negotiation and the successful ratification of a proposal that pays IAM Union District 837 members what they are worth while ensuring that Boeing is able to fulfill its mission and ensure that the men and women of our military have what they need.”
The senators also expressed concern about Boeing’s move to permanently replace striking workers, warning that such actions could affect product quality, safety, and national security. They wrote: “If you choose to proceed with replacement workers to complete these projects, you will be sacrificing the needs of the U.S. military in order to benefit the corporation’s bottom line. Rather than proceeding down this dangerous path, we urge you to rededicate yourself to meeting the needs of your current workers, who are a fount of experience, knowledge and professionalism. Now is the time to make a deal. Our military’s effectiveness and our country’s national security depends on it.”
Earlier, a bipartisan group from the House Armed Services Committee had also encouraged Boeing to return to negotiations.
According to IAM Union estimates, there is an $8 million gap between their latest proposal—rejected by Boeing without a counteroffer—and Boeing’s most recent five-year offer over four years. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Boeing has paid $100 million in severance packages for former CEOs, recorded $23 billion in third-quarter revenue, and has a $76 billion defense backlog.
IAM District 837 members work on major defense programs including production and support for F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25 aircrafts as well as future projects like the F-47 fighter jet.
Brian Bryant, IAM International President said: “We are deeply grateful to the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee for standing up for our members in St. Louis and demanding accountability from Boeing. The Senators recognize that our members’ skill, dedication, and experience are vital to our national security. Their call for Boeing to negotiate in good faith sends a powerful message that protecting America’s military readiness begins with respecting the people who build it.”
Support for striking workers has also come from other lawmakers including Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), as well as Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), and members of the Congressional Labor Caucus.
For over 13 weeks union members have continued their picket while presenting contract offers aimed at maintaining skilled staff necessary for fulfilling military contracts.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various industries throughout North America.
