IAM Union District 837 has responded to recent statements by Boeing regarding ongoing mediation efforts between the two parties. The union challenges Boeing’s assertion that mediation has been ongoing for several weeks, clarifying that the last meeting involving the company and a federal mediator occurred on September 29. Since that date, no further mediation sessions have taken place.
The union stated, “While Boeing claims we’ve been engaged in mediation ‘for several weeks,’ that’s simply misleading. The last time we met with the company and the federal mediator was on Sept. 29. Since then, there have been no further mediation sessions.”
After that last session, IAM Union District 837 submitted a revised pre-ratification settlement offer through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). According to the union, Boeing rejected this proposal and instead re-issued its previous five-year contract offer, which had already been voted down by union members. The union explained, “Following that meeting, the union submitted a modified version of our pre-ratification settlement offer through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Boeing rejected that proposal and instead re-issued the same five-year contract offer that had already been rejected by our membership. They made that same rejected offer contingent on acceptance by a specific deadline, but because it had previously been voted down, it was not brought back for another vote.”
The IAM Union maintains that it has acted in good faith and remains open to further mediation. “In good faith, we notified Boeing—through FMCS—that the union remains ready to return to mediation with just 24 hours’ notice. As of today, the company has not provided any dates of availability,” the statement read.
The union emphasized its ongoing commitment to reaching a resolution that meets members’ concerns: “Our goal remains to reach a fair agreement that addresses the issues our members have clearly identified. We continue to stand ready to meet at any time to reach a resolution and end this strike.”
IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various industries in North America, including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, and automotive.
