More than 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 in St. Louis have been on strike against Boeing for three months. 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, 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), urged Boeing to reach a fair agreement with IAM District 837. 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 expressed concern about Boeing’s recent move to replace striking workers permanently, warning it could affect product quality, safety, and national security. “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,” they stated. “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.”
Previously, 17 members from both parties on the House Armed Services Committee sent a similar letter urging Boeing back to negotiations.
According to IAM Union estimates, their latest contract proposal would cost approximately $8 million more over four years compared with Boeing’s offer for the same period. During this time, Boeing has paid $100 million in severance packages for former CEOs, reported $23 billion in third-quarter revenue, and holds a defense backlog valued at $76 billion.
IAM District 837 workers are responsible for building several key military aircraft including F-15EX, F/A-18, T-7A trainer jets, MQ-25 refueling drones, and future models like the F-47 fighter jet.
“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 IAM International President Brian 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.
For over thirteen weeks union members have maintained picket lines while contract talks remain unresolved. The union says it continues presenting reasonable offers aimed at keeping skilled labor necessary for fulfilling military contracts.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents around 600,000 active and retired workers across multiple industries throughout North America.
