OLYMPIA, Wash. – Boeing’s tough year continued into Tuesday as Governor Jay Inslee (D) joined President Joe Biden in criticizing the company for locking out a firefighter’s union over a contract dispute.
According to Reuters, Boeing locked out about 130 members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local I-66 after the union rejected initial contact offers from the aviation company. The move drew swift criticism from the leaders of the firefighter’s union and the AFL-CIO.
On Thursday, Biden threw his support behind the firefighters in a social media post.
“I’m concerned by reports that Boeing locked out IAFF I-66 members. 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,” Biden said.
Inslee, who leads the state where Boeing was founded and employs about 65,000 people according to The Seattle Times, criticized the company on Tuesday.
“Boeing knows it needs a better culture of safety, and they can start by having more respect for organized labor. I’m concerned to see them lock out the best firefighters they have simply because they want a fair contract. Boeing should let them work while they negotiate,” Inslee said.
Boeing is under federal scrutiny after a US Federal Aviation Administration audit found that the company repeatedly failed to meet safety compliance regulations during the manufacturing process of the 737-9 MAX.
“The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control,” the FAA said.
The US Department of Justice announced that Boeing violated a 2021 agreement with the federal government to avoid prosecution for two fatal 737 crashes on Tuesday, opening the possibility for the aviation giant to face new charges related to those incidents.
From a national, state and local perspective it has been a difficult few months for Boeing as it continues to struggle with both safety and labor criticisms.
