Since the start of the strike, IAM Union District 837 has accused Boeing of refusing to change its stance in ongoing contract negotiations. In a message to its members, the union said Boeing is “backing itself into a corner” by not altering the economic terms of its offer.
The union estimates that the cost difference between its latest proposal and Boeing’s most recent five-year offer is about $8 million more over four years. According to the union, this amount is small compared to other company expenditures. The statement pointed out that “this company has handed out $100 million in golden parachutes to failed CEOs, reported $23 billion in third-quarter revenue, and sits on a $76 billion defense backlog.”
The message continued: “Every day this strike continues, Boeing moves further away from meeting its obligations to our military and our allies, to its investors, and to taxpayers — all over $8 million spread across four years.” The union claims that Boeing’s approach is an attempt “to break you — and to break your union,” adding: “It’s not going to work. And it shouldn’t be acceptable to anyone who counts on Boeing that they’re putting ego over military production and national security.”
IAM District 837 urged Boeing management to return to negotiations with the workforce responsible for building aircraft vital for national defense. The statement concluded: “Your IAM District 837 Bargaining Committee remains ready to reach a fair and realistic agreement — one that respects your value, restores dignity on the shop floor, and gets our members back to doing the work that only you can do.”
“Stay strong. Stay united. Boeing chose this fight — and only bargaining in good faith will end it.”
