Biden Concerned Over Boeing Locking Out Its Union Firefighters After Contract Negotiations Fail

President Joe Biden said on May 9 that he is “concerned” that Boeing recently locked out its private force of unionized firefighters around Seattle, Washington.

“Despite extensive discussions through an impartial federal mediator, we did not reach an agreement with the union,” Boeing said in a statement. “We have now locked out members of the bargaining unit and fully implemented our contingency plan with highly qualified firefighters performing the work of (union) members.”

The union blamed Boeing for trying to “punish, intimidate and coerce its firefighters into accepting a contract that undervalues their work.”

“I’m concerned by reports that Boeing locked out IAFF I-66 members,” he said. “I encourage folks to return to the table to secure a deal that benefits Boeing and gets these firefighters the pay and benefits they deserve.”

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According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the president’s remarks also signal the possibility of the White House getting involved in discussions between the aircraft manufacturer and its unionized factory workers who produce its best-selling jet in Washington state.

Jon Holden, the president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 local, which represents Boeing’s Seattle-area employees, welcomed the president’s comments.

“We appreciate the support from U.S. President Joe Biden and think it’s important that he supports collective bargaining,” he said.

“Our union strongly believes that collective bargaining is the process for reaching an agreement.”

In addition to the firefighters’ union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is negotiating a new contract with Boeing for 30,000 of its employees who build its 737 MAX jets, which are currently behind in production.

Boeing delayed manufacturing for the 737 MAX planes to reinforce safety guidelines after a door panel blew out mid-air during a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines flight. That incident came two days before Boeing’s deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Justice Department was set to expire over the 2018 and 2019 737 MAX crashes that killed all passengers and crew aboard.

The Justice Department is considering whether that accident breached its agreement with Boeing, which could result in criminal charges.

Boeing blamed the Jan. 5 blowout on an assembly error, but U.S. regulators have increased factory inspections to prevent a repeat incident, further delaying production of the 737 MAX.

President Biden is looking toward multiple unions for endorsements as he approaches a potential matchup against former President Donald Trump in the November election. The president recently visited a United Auto Workers picket line and has emphasized his commitment to labor in his political platform as he faces a close race in blue-collar swing states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Boeing, in its latest offer, agreed to increase take-home pay from $91,000 to $112,000 for its firefighters. That offer is still on the table, the company recently said.

“We remain committed to securing an agreement. Our offer provides significant pay increases and increased benefits,” Boeing said in a statement. “The union should allow our employees to vote (on) our offer, which was presented before the lockout.”

Edward Kelly, the general president of the union representing the firefighters, said they are “grateful that the President stands up for collective bargaining” and continues to support them.

After Boeing announced its lockout on May 4, Mr. Kelly called the actions “greedy.”

“Putting corporate greed over safety, Boeing has decided to lock out our members, and the safety of the Washington facilities has been needlessly put at risk,” he said.

The Epoch Times reached out to Boeing for comment.

Jana J. Pruet, Reuters, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.