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 were made during a hearing of the U.S. Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pension (HELP) Committee on Wednesday, where Josh Arnold, a Boeing shop steward and union member, provided testimony.
Arnold, who was invited by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), described Boeing’s conduct at the bargaining table and called for stronger protections for workers’ rights and collective bargaining. “We are now entering the 12th week of our strike,” testified Josh Arnold, an 11-year IAM Union member. “Despite our strike, 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.”
Arnold said that despite repeated rejections by union members of Boeing’s proposals—including a recent offer—company management had not returned with meaningful changes.
Senator Sanders highlighted executive compensation at Boeing in his remarks: “Boeing could afford to pay its CEO, Mr. Ortberg, $18 million in compensation for four months,” said U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee. “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.) also addressed disparities between executive pay and worker treatment: “This company is not giving you and your fellow Machinists what you deserve,” said U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). “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 praised Arnold’s testimony: “I want to thank Brother Josh Arnold, our IAM District 837 Bargaining Committee, and all of our members who continue to stand strong,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “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 from IAM Union Midwest Territory also expressed support: “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,” said IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “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.”
The strike has affected military aircraft orders relied upon by U.S service members as negotiations remain unresolved.
