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 proposal—approved by 90% of its members—could end the ongoing strike immediately. “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,” wrote Sanders. “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 for ending health insurance coverage for striking employees and noted pay disparities between executives and line workers earning as little as $18 per hour.
The senator’s letter followed a virtual town hall held September 30 with IAM District 837 members, where they discussed their demands for fair compensation, respect at work, and long-term security for families in St. Louis.
Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division reported a second-quarter revenue increase of 10% from the previous year, reaching $6.6 billion in fiscal year 2025. IAM District 837 members have rejected multiple company offers, citing concerns about fairness.
Sanders recently questioned Scott Mayer, chief labor counsel at Boeing Corporation, during Mayer’s confirmation hearing for the National Labor Relations Board regarding the company’s handling of labor relations.
“This strike is about more than wages,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “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 are ongoing with help from a federal mediator. The union states it has been ready to negotiate fairly since the beginning of the strike.
The walkout began August 4 and has gained support from elected officials, community groups, and other labor leaders who recognize IAM District 837’s role in assembling military aircraft and defense systems.
The IAM represents around 600,000 active and retired members across North America working in various industries including aerospace, defense manufacturing, airlines operations https://www.goiam.org/, shipbuilding https://www.goiam.org/departments/headquarters/territories/shipbuilding/, railroads https://www.goiam.org/departments/headquarters/territories/railroad/, transit services https://www.goiam.org/departments/headquarters/territories/transit/, healthcare https://www.goiam.org/departments/headquarters/territories/healthcare/, automotive production https://www.goiam.org/departments/headquarters/territories/automotive/, among others.
