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. 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.” He continued, “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 cutting health insurance for striking employees and pointed out the pay gap between company executives and line workers earning as little as $18 per hour.
The senator’s letter followed a virtual town hall held on September 30 with IAM District 837 members. During this event, they discussed their demands for better pay, respect at work, and long-term security for families in St. Louis.
Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division reported a second-quarter revenue of $6.6 billion for fiscal year 2025—a rise of 10% compared to the previous year. Despite multiple offers from Boeing during negotiations assisted by a federal mediator, union members have repeatedly rejected them as insufficient.
Sanders recently questioned Scott Mayer, chief labor counsel at Boeing Corporation, about the company’s labor practices during Mayer’s confirmation hearing for the National Labor Relations Board.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant commented on the broader significance of the dispute: “This strike is about more than wages,” Bryant said. “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 under federal mediation efforts. The union maintains that its members have been prepared to negotiate fairly since the start of the strike.
The walkout began on 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 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents around 600,000 active and retired members throughout North America across various industries including aerospace, defense manufacturing, airlines operations, shipbuilding sectors as well as rail transit healthcare automotive fields.
