We Need Every Member Involved to Succeed

By Mark Blondin, District President

First off,  I want to thank all of our members who have participated in the contract negotiation process.  Whether you are a Union member, Shop Steward, or negotiator -- everyone is involved and I have no doubt that we will be successful. 

Hearing your concerns and knowing your feelings throughout the negotiation process is very important.
I read each and every "feedback" item that gets submitted through the website.  I talk to many, many, members. The ideas, suggestions, and comments that our members make are not taken lightly.  In fact, they truly help our committees in  formulating our contract proposal. When I hear from our members,  I can feel the power and know our collective voices speak with solidarity.

We have a great Union,  and we will be successful. When I say we,  I mean it.  This is not just my Union,  or just your union,  it is OUR Union.  It belongs to those who came before us and to those who will follow. 

We will work this hard and see it through together, as a team. We are in for the fight of our lives. The fight for our future. Together, we will not retreat. 

Together,  we will achieve better retirement . I have no doubt that at the end of the day,  this Union,  our Union,  will  win a contract that  will provide job security. A contract that provides the right to have a job to collect that improved pension.  A contract that ensures our laid-off members will be recalled. 

I am proud to speak for our members at the bargaining table.  And I will tell our story like it is.  We will get the Boeing Company's attention.  We can do it the easy way -- or we can do it the hard way.  If they choose the latter, we will take appropriate action.  Get ready - mentally, financially, and physically.

The Union's Defense Committee is finalizing picket captain training, has mapped out each plant location, and is making preparations in the event a strike occurs.
 
Our visibility is important as formal negotiations near.  Demonstrate your unity and show Boeing where you stand.  Get your contract stickers from your Union Steward.  Purchase a contract t-shirt and wear it with pride. Talk about our issues on the shop floor. Let them know we are serious and united.

There are two dates you should all be aware of: June 29th and July 9th.

Attend the Membership Fair on Saturday, June 29th in Monroe. This is a fun event for the entire family. Spend the day - outside of work - with your Union brothers and sisters before we get down to the serious business of hammering out a new contract. It is our chance to say thanks for your support and membership.

Finally, on July 9th Union members in Puget Sound, Spokane, Wichita, Portland and the Remote Bases will show Boeing we are united by attending the Strike Sanction meetings. In Puget Sound, we will gather at Seattle Center Memorial Stadium. This symbolic meeting does more than just grant strike authorization to Union negotiators - it shows Boeing we are serious and we mean business. Give our negotiating team power at the table by leaving work on July 9th and attending the strike sanction meeting. It will let your managers know where we stand -- UNITED!