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
