Iowa Association of Business and Industry

10/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 14:17

Employer associations across the U.S. urge end to costly Boeing strike

Dozens of statewide employer associations representing thousands of businesses and millions of workers in 42 states sent the following letter to Kelly Ortberg, president and CEO of Boeing, Jon Holden, president of International Association of Machinists District 751, and Brandon Bryant, president of International Association of Machinists District W24, urging the parties to return to the negotiating table and quickly reach an agreement to end the strike that's being felt across the economy:

Dear. Mr. Ortberg, Mr. Holden, and Mr. Bryant:

As state Chambers of Commerce, manufacturing associations, and employer organizations representing thousands of businesses and millions of employees across the nation who are impacted by the ongoing strike, we urge you to return to the negotiating table. The aerospace industry in the United States is an incredibly important economic engine, directly employing more than 500,000 manufacturing workers and supporting more than 2.2 million jobs in America. It pumps $425 billion into the U.S. economy and exports $135.9 billion worth of high-quality, American-made products around the world.

The ongoing production worker strike at Boeing is not only disrupting the regional economy of the Pacific Northwest but its impact is being felt across the entire U.S. economy. Countless companies in the aerospace supply chain are being forced to lay off employees due to decreased work orders. Beyond that, companies outside of the aerospace industry are also directly feeling the effects. Local small businesses such as restaurants and retailers that count on aerospace industry workers as important customers are experiencing decreased economic activity in communities across the nation.

It is essential that the strike is resolved with an agreement that both recognizes workers and ensures Boeing's ability to remain competitive for years to come. We urge you to return to the negotiating table, reach an agreement, and end the strike as soon as possible.

We were extremely disappointed that union membership rejected the most recent contract proposal, despite even more generous improvements from the Sept. 23 offer. The latest proposal included a 35% wage increase, a $7,000 signing bonus, a reinstatement of the annual IAM bonus (now guaranteed at no less than 4%), and an improved best-in-class 401(k) plan with an additional one-time $5,000 contribution to an employee's 401(k) account.

Estimates show that the economic consequences of the strike extend far beyond any one company or industry, with costs exceeding $5 billion nationally and continuing to rise. Each day the strike persists brings further uncertainty and harm not only to those parties directly involved, but to America's expansive aerospace supply chain and to countless communities, families and individuals across the nation. Workers are being furloughed and laid off across the country, and after multiple historically generous offers to Boeing's workers, no deal has been reached. The health of the United States aerospace industry is at stake, and more importantly, the livelihood of aerospace workers who are the heart of the industry. There is no time to waste. We urge all parties to reach an agreement to end this strike before it's too late.

Thank you,

Association of Washington Business

Business Council of Alabama

Alaska Chamber

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas

Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry

California Manufacturers & Technology Association

California Chamber of Commerce

Colorado Chamber of Commerce

Connecticut Business & Industry Association

Associated Industries of Florida

Florida Chamber of Commerce

Georgia Association of Manufacturers

Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry

Illinois Manufacturers' Association

Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Iowa Association of Business and Industry

Kansas Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Kentucky Association of Manufacturers

Louisiana Association of Business & Industry

Maryland Chamber of Commerce

Michigan Manufacturers Association

Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Mississippi Manufacturers Association

Mississippi Economic Council

Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Associated Industries of Missouri

Montana Chamber of Commerce

Nevada Manufacturers Association

Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire

New Jersey Business & Industry Association

New Mexico Business Coalition

The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

North Carolina Chamber

Greater North Dakota Chamber

The Ohio Manufacturers' Association

Ohio Chamber of Commerce

State Chamber of Oklahoma

Oregon Business & Industry

Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry

South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Texas Association of Business

Utah Manufacturers Association

Associated Industries of Vermont

Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

West Virginia Chamber of Commerce

West Virginia Manufacturers Association

Wyoming Business Alliance

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

National Association of Manufacturers