U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has urged Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to return to 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, Sanders called for Boeing to agree to the union’s contract proposal, which was approved by 90% of IAM District 837 members and could end the ongoing labor dispute. “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 terminating health insurance coverage for striking workers and noted the difference between executive compensation and line worker pay, some of whom earn as little as $18 per hour.
The senator’s appeal follows a virtual town hall held on September 30 with IAM District 837 members, where issues such as fair pay, 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. The union members have rejected several company offers during negotiations, citing concerns about fairness.
During Scott Mayer’s confirmation hearing for the National Labor Relations Board, Sanders questioned Mayer—Boeing’s chief labor counsel—about the company’s approach toward its workforce.
“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 continuing with assistance from a federal mediator. The union maintains that it has been prepared to negotiate fairly since the start of the strike on August 4.
The labor action has received growing support from public officials and community groups who recognize IAM District 837’s role in assembling advanced military aircraft and defense systems.
IAM represents approximately 600,000 active and retired workers across various industries throughout North America.
