Congressional Labor Caucus urges Boeing to resume talks with St. Louis strikers
Boeing is being urged by members of the U.S. House of Representatives to get back to the negotiating table and reach an agreement with the 3,200 workers on strike in St. Louis.
Members of the Congressional Labor Caucus sent the letter to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg in Seattle, where the company is headquartered, and expressed their concern about the company's intent to hire permanent replacement workers in place of the striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837.
Illinois Democratic Rep. Nikki Budzinski, who represents part of the St. Louis Metro East, signed the letter along with Debbie Dingell of Michigan, Steven Horsford of Nevada, Donald Norcross of New Jersey and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, all Democrats. The workers on strike at Boeing are spread throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area in St. Louis and St. Charles counties in Missouri and in the St. Louis Metro East in Mascoutah, Illinois in St. Clair County.
"Given that it is the policy of the United States to encourage collective bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act, we urge you to return to the bargaining table with these workers and to bargain in good faith to reach a fair contract in a timely manner," the letter shared by the IAM union reads. "We understand that there currently are no new negotiations scheduled between IAM District 837 and Boeing Defense, while IAM has repeatedly stated their readiness to continue negotiations."
"Concerningly, we have also heard reports that Boeing is now scaling back its contract offers to IAM District 837, despite the fact that Boeing’s initial contract offers were voted down overwhelmingly by IAM members."
In response to the congressional letter, IAM Union International President Brian Bryant said in a statement posted to social media:
"We thank the Congressional Labor Caucus for joining the growing number of stakeholders calling on Boeing to get serious about treating its employees fairly, resolving this strike, and getting back to work for the nation's defense. IAM District 837 members in St. Louis have the rightful expectation to be treated like Boeing employees across the country. It's a slap in the face for Boeing to refuse to make any attempt to listen to its employees and negotiate a fair contract."
Members of IAM 837 are expected to vote on a settlement offer Friday and if it passes it will be brought to Boeing to consider. Boeing has called it a "publicity stunt."