Governors Call for Solutions as Boeing Strike Impacts Suppliers

Governors of Utah, Missouri, and Montana have called for an end to the strike of Boeing machinists that has been ongoing for about seven weeks. Republican leaders expressed concerns about the strike's impacts on their states and the pressures it creates on the aerospace manufacturer’s suppliers.

The strike, involving 33,000 machinists, has led to a halt in parts shipment for several aircraft programs including Boeing's 737, 767, and 777. Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president responsible for the global supply chain for commercial airplanes, informed suppliers of this ongoing stoppage in an email sent on Tuesday.

In his correspondence, Mounir acknowledged the challenges this will pose for suppliers' production schedules and workforce, stating, "We understand this may require additional and difficult steps for your production schedules and teams."

This industrial action began when factory workers set up a picket line at a Boeing manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington. The strike has been ongoing since it started on September 13, 2024, highlighting the depth of the impasse between the company and the workforce.

The governors' intervention underscores the widespread effects of the strike not only on Boeing's operations but also on the broader business and community network dependent on the company’s supply chain. The call for resolution reflects the urgency felt by state officials regarding the economic consequences of prolonged disruptions in production.