U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has urged Boeing to resume negotiations with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, whose 3,200 members have been on strike in St. Louis for nine weeks.
In a letter dated October 1 to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, Sanders stated that the union’s contract proposal, which was approved by 90% of its members, could bring an immediate end to the ongoing labor dispute. Sanders wrote, “What the Machinists in St. Louis are proposing is not radical. It is less generous than the contract you ratified last year with 32,000 Machinists in Washington state. If Boeing can afford to spend $68 billion on stock buybacks and provide golden parachutes worth over $100 million to former executives, it can afford to provide decent retirement benefits and fair wages to its workers.”
Sanders also criticized Boeing’s decision to terminate health insurance for striking employees and pointed out disparities between executive compensation and worker pay rates as low as $18 per hour.
This appeal follows a virtual town hall meeting held by Sanders with IAM District 837 members on September 30, where they discussed issues such as fair pay and job security.
Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division reported a revenue increase of 10% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching $6.6 billion. Despite this financial growth, IAM District 837 members have rejected several offers from Boeing, citing concerns about fairness.
Sanders also questioned Scott Mayer, chief labor counsel at Boeing Corporation, regarding labor practices during Mayer’s National Labor Relations Board confirmation hearing.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant commented on the broader significance of the dispute: “This strike is about more than wages. It’s about respect, fairness, and the future of good aerospace jobs, not only in St. Louis but across North America. Boeing must stop playing games with our members’ lives and present them with an offer that reflects their skillset, dedication, and sacrifices. Our members deserve respect and dignity for their contributions to building this company, as well as for their service in protecting our troops and nation.”
Negotiations between IAM District 837 and Boeing continue with a federal mediator involved. According to IAM representatives, union members have been ready to negotiate fairly since the start of the strike.
The strike began on August 4 and has gained support from elected officials as well as community groups who emphasize the importance of IAM District 837’s role in assembling military aircraft and defense systems.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents around 600,000 active and retired workers across North America in sectors including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railways, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive manufacturing and other industries.
