Tom Buffenbarger, independent labor voice and retired International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Boeing strike in St. Louis, his thoughts on Ford Motor Company Chairman Jim Farley’s comments on America’s skilled labor shortage and the uncertainties facing the U.S. economy in 2026.
Buffenbarger began by discussing the Boeing strike in St. Louis, which lasted 101 days and involved over 3,000 workers who assemble fighter jets. The union members tried an unusual tactic by offering Boeing a pre-ratified contract, but the company rejected it, prolonging the standoff. Eventually, sustained pressure from the workforce and even Missouri’s Republican Senators pushed Boeing to offer a five-year contract with bonuses and a 24 percent wage increase, ending the strike. Buffenbarger emphasized that the workers’ solidarity and persistence sent a clear message to Boeing management that their value cannot be ignored, especially in the vital defense sector.
The discussion then turned to Ford Motor Company and Chairman Jim Farley’s public remarks on the skilled labor gap in America. Farley was quoted as saying that there are currently a million open jobs for skilled roles, such as machinists and electricians, many of which offer solid pay yet remain unfilled. Buffenbarger noted that while Farley’s concerns are valid, companies must do more than complain—they need to invest in robust apprenticeship programs, training and worker retention. He recalled that large manufacturers have often shut down these essential apprenticeships in favor of stock buybacks. He added that a renewed investment in workforce development is crucial if the U.S. wants to maintain its global competitiveness and properly value its blue-collar workers.
Finally, Buffenbarger addressed the economic uncertainty looming over the next year, highlighting the delays in government employment data caused by the government shutdown, as well as massive layoffs across public and private sectors. He warned that these trends could have a significant impact on consumer spending and the overall economy, particularly as 2026 approaches. With millions of workers already affected and federal employment lagging, Buffenbarger called for legislative solutions and greater vigilance from both political and business leaders to safeguard American workers and stabilize the economy in challenging times.
For more from Buffenbarger, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.
America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.
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