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 Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), urges Boeing to reach a fair agreement that values the work of IAM Union District 837 members while allowing Boeing to fulfill its commitments to the U.S. military.
In their message to Ortberg, the senators wrote: “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 criticized Boeing’s recent move to replace striking workers with permanent replacements, warning it could negatively impact 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. 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 from Senate members follows a similar appeal from 17 bipartisan House Armed Services Committee members who previously urged Boeing to return to negotiations.
According to IAM Union estimates, there is an $8 million difference over four years between their latest contract proposal—which was rejected by Boeing without a counteroffer—and Boeing’s own offer for that period. During this time frame, Boeing has provided $100 million in executive severance packages (“golden parachutes”), reported $23 billion in third-quarter revenue, and holds a $76 billion backlog in defense contracts.
IAM District 837 workers are responsible for building key military aircraft including the F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A, MQ-25 drones, and future models like the F-47 fighter jet.
IAM International President Brian Bryant expressed appreciation for Senate support: “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,” said Bryant. “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 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.
IAM Union members have maintained picket lines throughout more than 13 weeks while continuing efforts toward reaching a contract settlement they say would help maintain skilled labor needed for critical defense manufacturing obligations.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired employees across various sectors such as aerospace, defense production, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive industries throughout North America.
