Previous Strike Updates

Contract Talks
No new talks are scheduled at this time. Union negotiators are talking daily with the mediator. The Company knows your issues and must come prepared to address them. Health Care, Job Security, Retirement and Wages encompass the major issues. Within each of those four categories are multiple needs that need to be addressed. When this Company is ready to make the deal right and get you back to work, we are ready to talk.

This Company took on a strategy that failed miserably and was illegal, which is why we have filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge. Now ităs time for them to readjust their way of thinking when dealing with their employees. Although unfortunate, it had to come to this, they choose this path and now must deal with the consequences. If you have examples of where the manager dealt with you directly, please send an email to ulp@iam751.org .

BECU Offers Member Assistance
In response to our strike, BECU will activate its Member Assistance Program tomorrow (Friday, September 12th). Visit our web page for additional information on the BECU program. http://www.iam751.org/contract08pages/becuinformation.htm

Reduced or Free School Lunches
Children of striking members may be eligible for reduced or free school lunches. Applications are available the Union halls or on our web site. Completed applications should be returned to the schools. http://www.iam751.org/contract08_pdf/School%20Lunch%20Form.pdf

Picket Lines
The picket lines are holding strong. We do ask that you do your assignment so we ensure proper coverage on all the gates. If you need to make a change to your assignment, please do so after your first assignment is completed so we have time to get those changes into the system. If you misplace your picket duty card, stop by any hall and they can issue you a temporary one.

Strike Needs
There are many items we use everyday during a strike. Some items are donated and others are purchased. We are grateful to every individual, company and organization who has donated items. If you have any strike related items you would like to donate, please bring them by the hall nearest you.
Wood ă Clean burnable wood is always welcomed. No painted or treated wood.
Pallets ă Not used for burning, they can be used for temporary shelter on the picket lines should the weather turn bad.
Bread ă We make a lot of sandwiches running a 24/7 operation.
Muffins/Doughnuts ă A nice morning snack
Eggs ă Egg salad sandwiches are the picketers delicacy. Ok, theyăre inexpensive and easy to make.
Fresh Vegetables ă Make great soups
Coffee ă Always a pleasure
We will pretty much take any donations of food items. If we cannot use them in a timely fashion, we will donate to our members to take home.

Strike Jobs
We have set up member experts to assist with finding employment for those who might need to find a temporary job(s). Click here for contact information

If you have a need for some help either at your company or around the house, please contact the appropriate location with what you have to offer for temporary employment. Thank you.

In Solidarity
Your Union Leadership

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Strike Update Day 4 - September 9, 2008

Members were out in force on the picket lines yesterday for the first Monday of the strike. District President Tom Wroblewski has been visiting with picketers at each location to hear their concerns, answer questions and bolster spirits. The Union remains available to meet with Boeing any time; however, Boeing must be willing to change their last, best and final offer that you resoundingly rejected. Seeing your determination on the picket lines will help bring Boeing back to the bargaining table so keep the lines strong.

Thanks to all those in SPEEA, Teamsters, other Unions and throughout the community for their generous donations. Many businesses have dropped off donations of food and money to help our members. A special thanks at the Frederickson site to Caveman Coffee and KISW. These two businesses have teamed up to provide coffee for the Frederickson line throughout the duration of our strike.

Members need to take it one day at a time. If you need assistance with something, please visit the nearest Union hall. We are getting Union counselors set up at each location, as well as job referral assistants.

Here is some useful advice: If you have ongoing prescriptions, fill them NOW and fill them again before the end of September. Again, get prescriptions filled before October 1st.

Keep in mind you have full medical/dental/vision benefits throughout the month of September so now would be a good time to make those appointments for teeth cleaning, vision checkups, etc.

Picket Line Photos
We are getting ready to print the next issue of the Union paper, but would like to have you submit any picket line photos you may have. With so many members having digital cameras, we are hoping to get literally hundreds of picket line photos and pictures from the ăbehind the scenes - work in the kitchens, chopping wood and answering phones at the various Union halls. Please e-mail photos to: yourpowerinside@gmail.com . If you would like to also give a short quote on why you are out on the picket line, we will try to incorporate that into the paper as well.

Keep up the fight and help each other to stand proud and strong!

In Solidarity

Your Union Leadership

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Strike Update Day 2 - September 7th

We want to first start by saying thank you for your patience and understanding of the 48-hour attempt to reach a resolution. It was a difficult decision but one that ensured we explored every opportunity before leading 27,000 members and their families out for an unknown amount of time. It was your strong strike vote that triggered Boeingăs request to return to the table and that same strike vote that will bring them back to the table at a later date. Strikes are never easy, and they are the last resort when companies such as Boeing do not respect the workforce. These fights and struggles go back for centuries.

We ask that you stay strong and proud knowing you are doing the right thing for your future. Boeing lost respect, and this is one way to prove to them, that they need to respect you as an important ingredient to the success of this Company they have been put in charge of.

Strong Picket Lines for Monday
We need to show this Company our solidarity Monday morning as the first regular workday of the strike begins. Your strong presence tomorrow will reinforce to the Company that not just the 87 percent who voted to strike are determined, but that 100% of our workforce is out on the line.

We will continue this fight "one day longer" than the Company can afford until they meet your demands.

We don't have a crystal ball on how long this will last, so it is important you not hesitate to prepare for the long haul. If you need temporary employment, start looking now. If you need to cut back on your budget or move things around a bit, now would be the time to do it.

Picket Line Photos
We are getting ready to print the next issue of the Union paper, but would like to have you submit any picket line photos you may have. With so many members having digital cameras, we are hoping to get literally hundreds of picket line photos and pictures from the ăbehind the scenesă work in the kitchens, chopping wood and answering phones at the various Union halls. Please e-mail photos to: yourpowerinside@gmail.com. If you would like to also give a short quote on why you are out on the picket line, we will try to incorporate that into the paper as well.

Public Opinion
We read the same comments from the various articles of our local newspapers. The vast majority of the public understand our struggle, but there are a few of those armchair quarterbacks, who have nothing better to do than criticize. We have 27,000 members who should go on all of these newspaper comment pages and tell your story. Our shear numbers should be able to overwhelm those regular bloggers who post comments and have no clue as to what this strike is about. I encourage you to register and tell your story on these newspaper blogs and comment pages.

Picket Duty
It is important for every member to do your assigned picket duty. If you did not receive a card, please contact the nearest Union hall as soon as possible to schedule a time. We must ensure the gates are covered 24/7 in order to maintain a successful strike and show this Company our strength on the picket lines.

We will work hard to come to a resolution with The Boeing Company but until that time comes, be prepared, stand strong and proud of our cause and together, we will prevail.

ăOne day longeră because Ităs Our Time This Time!

In Solidarity
Your Union Leadership

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The Strike Is On!