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 bring an immediate end to the ongoing strike. “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,” Sanders wrote. “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 discontinuing health insurance for striking employees and noted significant differences between executive compensation and worker pay rates, with some line workers earning as little as $18 per hour.
The senator’s letter follows his virtual town hall meeting with IAM District 837 members on September 30, where issues such as pay equity, workplace respect, and long-term job security were discussed.
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. Union members have repeatedly rejected offers from Boeing, citing unmet standards related to fairness.
During a recent confirmation hearing for Scott Mayer—Boeing’s chief labor counsel nominated for the National Labor Relations Board—Sanders questioned Mayer about Boeing’s approach toward 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 continue under federal mediation efforts. The union maintains that its members are prepared to bargain fairly but insists that progress depends on an acceptable offer from Boeing.
The strike began on August 4 and has gained support from elected officials, community groups, and labor organizations who emphasize the importance of IAM District 837 workers in manufacturing military aircraft and defense systems.
The IAM represents around 600,000 active and retired workers throughout North America across several industries including aerospace, defense manufacturing, transportation sectors like airlines and railways, shipbuilding as well as healthcare services.
