U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has urged Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to return to contract negotiations with 3,200 striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 in St. Louis. The strike, which began on August 4, has lasted nine weeks and centers on demands for improved pay, benefits, and job security.
In a letter dated October 1, Sanders stated that the union’s proposal—approved by 90% of its members—could end the strike immediately if accepted by Boeing. 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 for ending health insurance coverage for striking employees and pointed out disparities between executive compensation and hourly wages for line workers, some of whom earn as little as $18 per hour.
The letter follows a virtual town hall held by Sanders with District 837 members on September 30, where they discussed issues including fair pay and long-term security for families in St. Louis.
Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division reported $6.6 billion in revenue during the second quarter of fiscal year 2025—a 10% increase compared to the previous year. IAM members have rejected several company offers during negotiations, saying these offers do not meet their standards for fairness.
During Scott Mayer’s confirmation hearing for the National Labor Relations Board, Sanders questioned Mayer—Boeing’s chief labor counsel—about what he described as shortcomings in Boeing’s approach to labor relations.
IAM International President Brian Bryant said: “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 are ongoing between IAM District 837 and Boeing with assistance from a federal mediator. The union says its members have been prepared to negotiate fairly since the beginning of the strike.
Support for the strikers has grown among elected officials and community groups who recognize IAM District 837’s role in producing military aircraft and defense systems.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired workers throughout North America in sectors such as aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railways, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive manufacturing, among others.
