Strike Update October 3, 2008

Strike Update -- October 3, 2008

Deliveries Impacted by Strike
Today, Boeing announced their third quarter deliveries and noted they were down 30-35 planes from their projections. While they have been able to deliver a handful of planes that were nearly completed when the strike began 27 days ago, pilots at Alaska Airlines showed their solidarity for us.

In September, the Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) learned the night prior to the scheduled delivery of a 737-800 that the plane was to be flown from Boeing Field to SeaTac. The notion that active line pilots would have to cross through an active picket line was a matter that the Alaska pilots' union leadership took seriously. So very quickly, the leadership for the Alaska MEC went to work to ensure that no active union members would by flying that plane. After receiving a call from ALPA, Alaska's management assigned the trip to two management pilots not on the Union's active roster.

"By supporting our IAM brothers and sister, we demonstrated that we share many of the same challenges as the striking Boeing machinists," said Sean Cassidy, Vice Chairman of the Alaska Master Executive Council of ALPA.

Boeing is starting to feel pressure from some of their customers. Virgin Blue in Australia is seeking damages from Boeing for the delayed delivery of three 777-300 ER's, which forced the airline to reschedule thousands of passengers booked over the Christmas-New Year holidays. Perhaps it's time Boeing considered returning to the bargaining table and offering the contract our members should have seen on the first vote -- a contract that addresses our issues and offers to share the tremendous profits we have generated for this Company.

Today, Steelworkers traveled from Anacortes to join 751 District President Tom Wroblewski and 751 members on our Everett picket line. We continue to gain support, as pressure on the Company continues to mount. The Union will continue to push to get Boeing back to the bargaining table so our members can get back to what they do best -- building airplanes.

Health Care Tip for members in Snohomish County
Two walk-in medical clinics in north Snohomish county may be able to provide some interim health care to our striking members until insurance resumes. The cost of an office visit at the 10-Minute Walk In Clinics is $39 for the visit, $10 additional for a strep screen or urine infection test.

The 10-Minute Walk In Clinics diagnose and treat conditions such as sore throat, bladder infections in ladies, earaches, sinus infections, matted eyes, coughs, wheezing, allergies, warts, flu, and other simple, but annoying, health conditions. The clinic takes patients 18 months and older, seven days a week. Prescriptions can be filled on site or at the pharmacy of choice in Washington State. The clinics don't usually do any chronic care stuff like blood pressure management, diabetes management, depression, thyroid, etc. But could help with some temporary medication refills for these conditions if needed until the insurance plan resumes.

Clinic locations are as follows:
In Marysville, 9528 State Ave.
Phone - 360-658-0233. Driving directions are on the phone menu.
Marysville hours are 9 am - 7 pm, M - F, and Sat 9 am - 6 pm

In Arlington, 540 West Ave.
Phone - 360-435-8262. Driving directions are on the phone menu.
Arlington hours are 9 am - 7 pm, M - F, Sat 9 am - 6 pm and Sun 10 am - 5 pm

Job Search Assistance
Saturday at the Seattle Union Hall (9135 15^th Pl S) our computer lab will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help with job search assistance. There will be representatives on hand to help get you started with a job search. Click here to find online leads.

Strike Checks
Remember members can pick up their $150 a week strike checks at Green River Community College, Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe or the Seattle Union Hall tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For additional information on strike checks, click here.

Voter Registration
If you or your family members need to register to vote for the upcoming General Election on November 4^th, you can do so this Saturday at any of the strike check distribution locations. Keep in mind that this Saturday is the cutoff to register and still vote on November 4^th