U.S. senators from both parties criticized Boeing for its approach to ongoing labor negotiations with striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 in St. Louis. The comments came during a U.S. Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pension (HELP) Committee hearing where IAM Union member and Boeing shop steward Josh Arnold testified about the strike.
Josh Arnold, an 11-year IAM Union member and U.S. Army veteran, told the committee that workers are now entering their twelfth week on strike. “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.
Boeing’s position has led to delays in military aircraft orders relied upon by U.S. service members and allies. This week, Boeing management presented another proposal to IAM Union members that did not address union concerns or acknowledge a previous pre-ratified offer passed in September.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee, commented on executive compensation at Boeing: “Boeing could afford to pay its CEO, Mr. Ortberg, $18 million in compensation for four months,” Sanders said. “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 criticized Boeing’s handling of negotiations: “This company is not giving you and your fellow Machinists what you deserve,” Hawley said. “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 expressed appreciation for 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,” Bryant said. “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, also praised Arnold’s appearance before Congress: “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,” Cicinelli said. “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 involves approximately 3,200 IAM District 837 members who have repeatedly rejected Boeing’s contract offers since negotiations began.
