Bernie Sanders Urges Boeing CEO Ortberg to End St. Louis Strike, Supports IAM Union District 837 Members

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 2, 2025 - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling on Boeing to return to the bargaining table and reach a fair contract with 3,200 striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837.

In an Oct. 1 letter to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg , Sen. Sanders said the IAM Union's proposal, approved by 90% of members, could end the nine-week strike immediately.

"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."

Sen. Sanders also criticized Boeing for terminating health insurance for striking workers and highlighted the disparity between executive pay and that of line workers, who earn as little as $18 an hour.

Read the full letter to CEO Ortberg here .

This letter follows Sen. Sanders' Sept. 30 virtual town hall with members of District 837, during which they discussed their fight for fair pay, respect on the job, and long-term security for St. Louis families.

Boeing's Defense, Space & Security division reported $6.6 billion in second-quarter revenue for fiscal 2025, a 10% increase from last year. Members have rejected the company's offers multiple times, saying they fail to meet basic standards of fairness.

Sen. Sanders recently grilled Scott Mayer, chief labor counsel at the Boeing Corporation, about Boeing's failures during Mayer's confirmation hearing for the National Labor Relations Board.

"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 being held with the assistance of a federal mediator. IAM members have been ready to bargain fairly since day one of the strike. The ball is in Boeing's court to present an offer that meets the standards of our members.

The strike, which began on Aug. 4, has drawn increasing support from elected officials, community allies, and labor leaders who recognize the vital role IAM District 837 members play in assembling and maintaining advanced military aircraft and defense systems. The IAM continues to call on Boeing to respect its workforce and work toward a fair settlement.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members across North America in aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, rail, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

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