|
Hawker Beechcraft Strike Begins
Machinists at Hawker Beechcraft spent Sunday preparing to hit the picket lines at midnight. Email Address: natasha.trelfa@kake.com |
|
At 12:01 Monday morning Hawker Beechcraft machinists will officially go on strike. This after an overwhelming vote Saturday to reject their employers contract.
"I'm ready and prepared," says striker Charles Colbert.
Hours before they were scheduled to hit the picket lines, machinists with Hawker Beechcraft lined up to sign up.
"I'll be out here at midnight and it's not only for us," he says. "We've got children also. I'll be here from the beginning to the end."
Machinists hit strike headquarters Sunday for the chance to sign up for picket line times just one day after rejecting the company's most recent contract proposal in a 90 percent vote and an 89 percent strike vote. It's a decision that caused workers to erupt with cheers.
"The votes proved that we've seen through the smoke screen," says Bret Parsons, another machinist.
In a statement Saturday, HBC said its facilities will be open come strike day. Most workers said they don't expect to see many crossing the picket lines.
"I think it's going to be 100 percent everybody's going to stay out," explains striker Shirley Quarles. "We mean business now."
"We'll be out here in unity. We'll show that we're serious about what the union stands for and that we will take on the company and we will last one day longer," said Parsons.
The company hasn't seen a strike in 24 years. While workers said they hope their voices are heard and changes are made sooner rather than later, they said they're not willing to back down.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome of this," said Colbert, ""just one day longer, that's all we need."
Stay with Kake News and KAKE.com for continuing coverage on the Hawker Beechcraft strike.
| National AP Video |
|
|
| KAKE Most Discussed |
| School Districts Prepare For More Cuts 59 Comments |
| West Wichita Man Shot By Wife Dies 50 Comments |
| MD Breakthrough 49 Comments |
| House Passes Health Care Bill 48 Comments |
| Great Bend Couple Cash In Powerball Lottery Ticket 45 Comments |
| Cessna Recalls 200 Workers 43 Comments |
| Happy Thanksgiving! Your 2009 Thanksgiving Guide |
|
| H1N1 News Click here for the latest news regarding the H1N1 virus. |
|
| Upickem Pigskin Payoff Contest Click here to go to our pro football season contest! |
|
| First United Methodist Church of Wichita Click here to watch Sunday services live. |
