A group of U.S. senators has reached out to the beleaguered airline manufacturer Boeing and the unions representing its machinist amid a crippling strike.
Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, along with Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, have joined U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D, WA-09) and Rick Larsen (D, WA-02) in urging Boeing and unions to reach a mutually beneficial resolution as soon as possible.
The group sent a letter to Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg as well as Jon Holden, IAM District 751 president, and Brandon Bryant, IAM District W24 president on Tuesday.
"We are writing about the contract negotiations between the Boeing Company and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Districts 751 and W24. With the machinist strike now lasting well over a month, and with no further talks currently scheduled, we urge you to redouble your efforts to reach a mutually beneficial resolution," the lawmakers wrote.
"With over 42,000 single-aisle and wide-body commercial aircraft projected to be manufactured over the next twenty years, valued at $8 trillion, now is the time to rebuild the historic partnership between management and workers in order to restore Boeing’s reputation for engineering and manufacturing excellence. This will require investing in next-generation manufacturing techniques, and innovative new materials, and providing workers with wages and benefits that acknowledge the essential and irreplaceable work they perform for the Company," they added.
"IAM 751 and W24 represent a vital workforce in the Pacific Northwest and for nearly a century have made it possible for Boeing to produce aircraft that fly millions of passengers each day, connecting communities and economies around the world," the letter continued. "With these contributions in mind, we hope you will expeditiously work out a fair and durable deal that recognizes the importance of the machinist workforce to Boeing’s future, the aerospace economy of the Pacific Northwest, and the nation."
Boeing has been struggling to stay above water in the wake of multiple disasters involving its much-maligned 737 MAX plane and has been unable to get back on track since January's mid-air cabin door blowout that forced an Alaska Airlines flight to make an emergency landing.
Beyond the PR hit, the manufacturer is beginning to sink financially, recently entering into a $10 billion agreement with a group of banks.
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