U.S. senators from both parties criticized Boeing for its approach to ongoing labor negotiations, as the strike by 3,200 members of IAM District 837 in St. Louis entered its twelfth week. The comments came during a hearing of the U.S. Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pension (HELP) Committee, where Josh Arnold, a Boeing shop steward and U.S. Army veteran, testified about the stalled talks.
Arnold told lawmakers that “we are now entering the 12th week of our strike,” adding that despite the ongoing action, “the company has not improved its offer one bit. In fact, they have backtracked and made it worse. We have now voted on and overwhelmingly rejected their offer three times. Still, company management refuses to return to the table to negotiate in good faith an offer that respects our skills, dedication, and value. The wage and retirement improvements we are seeking would cost Boeing merely half of the cost of one F-15 fighter jet over the next four years.”
The dispute has affected not only union members but also delayed important military aircraft deliveries relied upon by U.S. service members and allies.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who invited Arnold to testify before the committee, said: “Boeing could afford to pay its CEO, Mr. Ortberg, $18 million in compensation for four months,” adding that “but apparently they just don’t have enough money to sit down with the union and negotiate a fair contract.”
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) commented on Boeing’s executive compensation compared with worker pay: “This company is not giving you and your fellow Machinists what you deserve… This is really unbelievable to me… We have more than 3,000 Missourians who have been loyal to this company for years… To me, it’s incredible that these people in the C-suite—who make unbelievable sums of money—won’t pay their workers well, but they pay their CEO and their executives more than ever before.”
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant thanked those standing firm in negotiations: “I want to thank Brother Josh Arnold, our IAM District 837 Bargaining Committee, and all of our members who continue to stand strong. It takes courage to stand up and speak truth to power. Josh represented our members, workers, and veterans with honesty and integrity—reminding the Senate and the country that America’s strength lies in the hands of working people, not corporate executives.”
Sam Cicinelli, IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President added: “I’m proud of Brother Josh for standing up before the U.S. Senate and making sure the voices of our members were heard loud and clear… We’re grateful to Senators Sanders, Hawley, Markey, and others who called out Boeing’s greed for what it is. Their support means a lot to our members, who are fighting not just for a contract but for respect. This is what solidarity looks like—and we will not back down until Boeing does right by our members.”
