Strike Update September 23, 2008

Strike Update - September 23, 2008

Members continue to hold strong in their resolve to bring Boeing back to the bargaining table. Special thanks to 751-member Jim Bedard who drove up from Edwards Air Force Base and has been walking the picket line with fellow 751 members in Everett and Seattle. He reports our members at Edwards Air Force Base are united and determined to stay out as long as it takes.

IAM District 751 was able to offer support to Teamsters Local 174, who began picketing Oak Harbor Freight at midnight last night. Teamsters came by the Seattle Union Hall where our volunteers constructed burn barrels and shared the design and build process. We will continue to offer support in their fight, as well.

Unemployment Questions
We received many calls today from members stating they had been approved for unemployment benefits. In checking with the Unemployment Insurance Department, no 751 members have been approved for benefits. Many received a standard form letter that is sent once a claim is filed. The letter calculates their potential UI benefits. This letter does not mean benefits were approved. Members will receive a letter of denial and must file an appeal during the strike. The State Unemployment Insurance Department will wait until all appeals are filed before sending them to an Administrative Judge who will rule on the matter. If the judge determines the Union was justified in their ULP claim, then everyone who was denied benefits and filed an appeal may be determined to receive benefits.

Unfair Labor Practice
We are currently testifying before the NLRB on our unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against the Company. We hope for a decision from the NLRB Region 19 soon on whether they will proceed with a complaint against Boeing.

If you were asked questions about the offer by your manager, please tell us specifically what he/she wanted to know. If your manager talked to you one-on-one about the contract, provide us that information, as well. It is very important we receive as many violations as possible to support our case. Please send an email to ULP@iam751.org and tell us what was said so we can follow up with you. (NOTE: This e-mail address does not respond to questions, but is used strictly to gather information on the ULP).

Regardless of the outcome of the ULP, it is very important we show our resolve on the picket lines. Be sure to do your picket duty and get your cards signed off by the picket captains.

What does a ULP strike do? If proven, it prevents the Company from implementing the contract and replacing the workforce with permanent replacements. It also may help with the determining unemployment benefit qualifications. Although a ULP is not a determining factor for unemployment eligibility, it does help with arguments in favor of providing them depending on how long the strike would last.

751 Volunteers to Participate in Breast Cancer Walk

District 751 Women's Committee is still going to sponsor TEAM 751 in the 2008 'Making Strides Against Breast Cancer' Walk-even if we are still on strike!

We will assemble at the Fountain on the north side of downtown Bellevue Park (10001 NE 1^st St, Bellevue, WA 98004) at 8:30 AM this Sunday, September 28th. The 5-kilometer/3-mile walk begins at 9:00 AM. There will be TEAM 751 t-shirts available to purchase for $15 each.

This is a noncompetitive walk with NO registration fees and NO minimum fundraising requirement to participate. You can participate without walking and donate online by visiting www.PugetSoundStrides.org, click on the 'Join a Team' link and enter TEAM 751, under the team name search box.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is more than just a walk. It is all about the amazing progress we're making together to defeat this disease. We invite striking members and their families to join us and walk to save lives!

Volunteer are still needed as Route Marshals to help keep walkers safe. Please contact Justin Wieging, Events Manager, at 425-322-1103 and be at the Volunteer Tent in Bellevue Downtown Park at 8:15 AM on Sunday.