Five members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have called on Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg to negotiate in good faith with more than 3,200 striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 in St. Louis. The workers have been on strike for three months.
The letter, led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), urges Boeing to resolve the dispute promptly. The Senators wrote that Boeing should “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 expressed concern about Boeing’s recent move to permanently replace striking workers, warning this could affect product quality, safety, and national security. They stated, “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,” adding, “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.”
This action follows a similar letter from 17 bipartisan members of the House Armed Services Committee urging Boeing back to negotiations.
According to IAM Union estimates, there is an $8 million difference over four years between their latest proposal—rejected by Boeing without a counteroffer—and Boeing’s most recent five-year offer. During this period, Boeing has paid $100 million in severance packages for departing CEOs, reported $23 billion in third-quarter revenue, and has a defense backlog valued at $76 billion.
Members of IAM District 837 are responsible for building key military aircraft including the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A trainer jet, MQ-25 drone refueler, and future F-47 fighter jet.
IAM International President Brian Bryant 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.”
Additional support has come from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), as well as Reps. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), and members of the Congressional Labor Caucus.
IAM Union members have been picketing for over 13 weeks while continuing contract negotiations with Boeing aimed at maintaining skilled labor needed for military contracts.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various industries throughout North America.
