Your IAM Bargaining Committee continues to receive more intel confirming what we already know: Boeing’s so-called “contingency plan” is failing miserably.
It’s our understanding that the company, in its desperation, is flying in non-union workers from other states to try to do our work — but it’s not working. They’re scrambling to pressure our members to cross the picket line, and that’s not working either.
Meanwhile, they’re falling further and further behind on critical defense programs, especially the F-15. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg himself admitted in September that “the strike impacted our fighter production, so F-15, F-18 mods, as well as some of our munitions work.” Even the powerful House Armed Services Committee, which approves funds Boeing’s defense operations, is taking notice.
On their latest investor call, Boeing executives tried to claim it’s business as usual in St. Louis. The company maintained that they were still delivering some munitions, but notably avoided any mention of fighter jets – the core products built by our membership in St. Louis. We believe there’s a reason for that: Boeing doesn’t want to admit to investors, elected officials, and taxpayers that they’re failing in their duty to deliver aircraft that our military and our allies depend on.
Let’s be clear — nothing about this strike or their struggling operations is business as usual. Our 3,200 members are the ones who make the production of these aircraft and military systems possible, and without us, production has ground to a halt.
Think about this: instead of simply reaching a fair deal and bringing us back to work, we’re hearing that Boeing is housing and feeding temporary workers from across the country. They’d rather pay for hotel rooms and per diems than invest in the skilled, dedicated workforce that has decades of experience building these precision aircraft to perfection.
Your IAM Bargaining Committee remains ready to return to the table to reach a fair contract. The company owes our members a real counteroffer that respects your value, your skill, and your sacrifice.
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