During a senate hearing Tuesday, June 18, Boeing CEO, Dave Calhoun, acknowledged that the company has retaliated against whistleblowers.
When asked by Sen. Richard Blumenthal if Boeing had fired any of its employees who retaliated against the whistleblowers, Calhoun said he didn’t have the numbers, but he knew that retaliation had happened.
However, Calhoun stated he has never directly spoken to any families of the whistleblowers. Sen. Ron Johnson then asked, “Do you think that would be a good idea?” To which Calhoun replied, “I’d recommend it.”
Blumenthal also pointed out that those who spoke up about Boeing have claimed there was retaliation and pressure to shut up about their complaints.
He further spoke about one whistleblower. John Barnett. Authorities revealed earlier this year that Barnett had died by suicide. He had testified that a Beoing supervisor had called him about 20 times a day. When he would answer the calls, the supervisor stated, “I’m going to push you until you break.”
Blumenthal then decalred, “He broke.”
Calhoun shared that Boeing had disciplined and even fired supervisors who had retaliated against whistleblowers. But he didn’t know the exact number of those supervisors.
Members of Congress also called out Calhoun for how he has managed the company.
Sen. Josh Hawley accused Calhoun of trying to blame the company’s problems on other employees. Hawley believes that the true problem is within the company management.
“I don’t think the problem’s with the employees,” Hawley told Calhoun. “I think the problem’s with you. You. It’s the C-suite. It’s the management. It’s what you’ve done to this company. That’s where the problem is.”
Hawley then told Calhoun, “You’re the problem. And I just hope to God you don’t destroy this company before it can be saved.”
Calhoun will retire later this year.
Boeing CEO Apologized to the Families Of Victims Who Died in Two 737 Max Crashes More Than Five Years Ago
Right at the start of the hearing, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun addressed the families of the victims in two 737 Max crashes that occurred more than five years ago.
“I would like to speak directly to those who lost loved ones on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302,” he stated. “I want to personally apologize, on behalf of everyone at Boeing. We are deeply sorry for your losses.”
Calhoun continued by saying, “Nothing is more important than the safety of the people who step on board our airplanes. Every day we seek to honor the memory of those lost through a steadfast commitment to safety and quality.”
Both the 737 Max crashes left a total of 346 people dead. The causes of the wreck were due to poorly designed, undisclosed flight control software.