Kristina Roberts
The conflict between Boeing and its workers in St. Louis has now lasted for more than eight weeks, and the pressure is growing for it to end. On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders wrote directly to Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg, asking him to bring the strike to a close. His message was clear and strong. “Do the right thing,” Sanders said in his letter, urging Boeing to act fairly and responsibly.
This strike began on August 4, when about 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 decided to walk out. These workers are based in the St. Louis area, where Boeing produces fighter jets, weapons, and other military aircraft. The decision to go on strike was not taken lightly. Workers chose this path after their talks with the company over pay and working conditions failed to reach an agreement. For two months now, the workers have been holding firm, hoping their voices will be heard.
The timing of Sanders’ letter was important. It was sent on the same day when he and other senators criticized Boeing during a Senate committee nomination hearing. This hearing gave lawmakers the chance to publicly address Boeing’s handling of the situation, and they did not hold back. By speaking up in such a setting, senators wanted to show both Boeing and the American public that this issue matters.
The strike has had serious effects, not only on the workers but also on the local community and even on Boeing’s operations. For the workers, many of whom rely on weekly wages, going without pay for such a long time has been extremely difficult. Families are struggling to cover their bills, pay for food, and keep up with rent or mortgages. For Boeing, the strike means that important military projects are delayed, which could affect the company’s reputation and its relationship with the U.S. government.
Strikes like this often highlight a bigger question: how should large companies balance their profits with the well-being of their workers? Boeing is one of the biggest names in the aerospace and defense industry. It makes billions of dollars every year from selling aircraft and defense systems, not just in the United States but worldwide. Yet the people who help build these planes and weapons often feel that their hard work is not being fairly rewarded. This gap between management and workers is at the heart of the St. Louis strike.
Senator Sanders has long been known for supporting working-class Americans. His decision to write to Boeing’s CEO shows that he sees this strike as more than just a local issue. To him, it represents a larger fight for fairness in workplaces across the country. By using the phrase, “Do the right thing,” Sanders made his demand simple but powerful. He was asking Boeing to show respect to the people whose labor keeps the company running.
Other senators also joined in criticizing Boeing. During the committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether the company had acted responsibly. They argued that ignoring workers’ concerns for so long was not acceptable. The senators believe that Boeing has the resources to meet the workers’ demands and that delaying negotiations only makes the situation worse. Their involvement has added weight to the workers’ struggle, showing that political leaders are paying attention.
The union representing the workers, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, has been strong in its support. Union leaders say that workers deserve better pay, safer working conditions, and more security in their jobs. They argue that while Boeing continues to secure billion-dollar contracts, the people building the products should not have to fight so hard just to be treated fairly. The strike, therefore, is not only about wages but also about respect and dignity in the workplace.
For many families in St. Louis, this strike has become the center of their daily lives. Community members have stepped in to help each other, with food banks and local groups offering support to striking workers. Still, the hardship is real. Parents worry about how long they can go without steady income, and children feel the stress in their households. Every extra week of the strike adds to the uncertainty.
The situation has also raised questions about Boeing’s image. The company has already faced challenges in recent years, including safety concerns and financial struggles. A long, unresolved strike only adds to the perception that Boeing is struggling to manage its responsibilities. Ending the strike quickly and fairly could help repair some of that damage, but continuing to ignore workers’ demands may harm the company even more in the long run.
As the strike passes the two-month mark, the pressure is mounting. Lawmakers are speaking out, the workers remain determined, and the public is watching closely. The path forward is in Boeing’s hands. If the company agrees to negotiate fairly, the strike could end, and workers could return to their jobs with renewed trust in their employer. But if Boeing continues to hold back, the conflict could stretch on, with consequences for everyone involved.
Senator Sanders’ words capture the heart of the matter. “Do the right thing,” he told Boeing’s CEO. For the thousands of families in St. Louis who have endured weeks of hardship, those words carry deep meaning. The right thing, in their eyes, would be to listen, to respect, and to make a fair deal that values the people behind Boeing’s success.
In the coming days, coming days, all eyes will remain on Boeing and its leadership. Will the company choose to resolve the strike in a way that honors its workers, or will it continue to let the standoff drag on? The answer will not only decide the future of 3,200 workers in St. Louis but may also signal how big corporations treat their employees in the years to come.
