Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has called on Boeing to negotiate with nearly 3,300 machinists who have been on strike in St. Louis for fourteen weeks. In a letter sent to Boeing’s President and CEO Kelly Ortberg, Hawley urged the company to reach an agreement that the workers can accept.

“As you know, these nearly 3,300 machinists have been on strike for fourteen weeks. That’s fourteen weeks without a paycheck and access to healthcare. A few weeks ago, I heard from Joshua Arnold—a decade-plus Boeing Defense shop steward, Army veteran, and father—when he testified before a Senate committee. He reported that, because of Boeing’s refusal to offer the machinists a contract that mirrors their value to the company, he and his fellow machinists have been without a paycheck for over three months. Further, some of the out-of-work machinists, who cannot readily obtain health insurance through a spouse’s plan, are forced to pay insurance rates in the thousands per month. This is unacceptable,” Hawley wrote.

Hawley referenced a previous labor dispute involving Boeing machinists in Seattle last year. After 53 days on strike there, workers reached an agreement with terms not offered to those currently striking in St. Louis.

“Just last year, Boeing and machinists in Seattle agreed to a beneficial contract after those machinists were on strike for 53 days. It is my understanding that Boeing’s offers to the St. Louis machinists have not contained similar terms. There exists a precedent for offering a better deal, and I urge you to finalize a reasonable agreement as soon as possible. These workers help produce our Nation’s most crucial, most advanced, and most expensive defense tools. And since your company receives billions in government contracts, it is incumbent upon you to do the right thing,” Hawley stated.

The ongoing strike has left many workers without income or affordable health insurance options while they seek new contract terms with Boeing.