Four Democratic lawmakers from Washington state this week called on Boeing Co. and the union representing striking machinists in the Seattle and Portland, Oregon, areas to resolve the labor dispute.
Some 33,000 machinists walked off the job just after midnight on September 13, marking the first strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) since 2008.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Patty Murray, Rep. Adam Smith, and Rep. Rick Larsen. called The two countries seek to “quickly finalize a fair and durable agreement that recognizes the importance of the machinist workforce to Boeing's future.”
“The machinists' strike has been well over a month, and no further talks are scheduled at this time, so we urge Boeing to redouble its efforts to reach a mutually beneficial solution.” in a letter to Kelly Ortberg, president and CEO of IAM. On Tuesday, 751 President John Holden and IAM District W24 President Brandon Bryant met.
Member states have overwhelmingly rejected an interim agreement that included a 25% wage increase over the next four years and are demanding that pensions be reinstated.
Negotiations broke down earlier this month, and an IAM spokesperson told The Hill on Wednesday that there is no set date for the two sides to return to the negotiating table.
A Boeing spokesperson told The Hill that the company “remains committed to finding a solution to end the strike.”
“We will work with unions when they are ready to negotiate an agreement that recognizes our employees and protects our company's future,” the spokesperson said.
in Tuesday strike rally At Union Hall in Seattle, Mr. Holden vowed that the union would not “back down” from the fight.
“Some people say I should just stand up and walk away. I value this membership too much to walk away. IAM is never going to walk away. What we need to do to get a fair agreement is I’ll do anything,” Holden said.
Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su met separately with IAM 751 and Boeing leadership on Monday and urged both sides to continue the negotiation process. Cantwell and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who represents Seattle, visited the picket line on Tuesday.
The strike has garnered national attention and attention as it drags on, and IAM International President Brian Bryant said Friday that the union is grateful for the “continued strong support” it has received from members of Congress. .
“Given Boeing's history of overcompensation for CEOs, executives should return to the negotiating table and do right by the employees who have made incredible sacrifices to keep the company afloat. More and more legislators are becoming aware,” Bryant said.
last week, Jayapal led the letter It was signed by members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), calling on both sides to “negotiate in good faith.'' “I will.” reaching a fair contract in a timely manner. ”
“We are hearing from our constituents that many of the Boeing workers currently on strike are experiencing economic hardship, and that as of October 1, 2024, the number of striking workers will be We are very concerned that you are losing your employer-provided health insurance to exercise your right to strike,” the letter said.
“Instead of helping their constituents restore jobs, some elected officials are irresponsibly stirring up tensions,” Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement Wednesday. It's unfortunate,” he said.
The strike has already cost businesses and workers $5 billion, according to a new analysis from Anderson Economic Group. Boeing announced last Friday that it would lay off 10% of its workforce, or about 17,000 people, in the coming months and postpone deliveries of its 777X aircraft until 2026.
“Business is in a difficult situation and the challenges we face together cannot be overstated,” Ortberg said in an email last Friday.
“Beyond navigating the current environment, rebuilding the company will require difficult decisions and structural changes that will enable us to remain competitive and serve our customers over the long term,” he added. .
