Help On The Way For Striking Hawker Beechcraft Machinists
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Help On The Way For Striking Hawker Beechcraft Machinists
Wichita Machinists on strike against Hawker Beechcraft are getting help feeding their families.
Reporter: KAKE News
Email Address: news@kake.com
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Posted by: Grandpa's Wife Location: Wichita on Aug 25, 2008 at 11:19 PM

Read new contract & saw some good changes. Have a couple of questions though. Contract states "premiums" are not going to increase for life of contract. But read 22.09.01 "Effective 01-09 other selected provisions of the HBC Group Life, Medical, Disability Benefit Plans, Dental & Vision Plans will be revised as agreed between the parties as noted in the 2009 group benefits Summaries. The Company agrees to notify the union at least 30 days in advance of any changes in medical carriers or claims administrator". What are these revisions & where are they listed? Are deductibles & co-pays going up? If these increase, there goes a portion of your 4% increase. I don't understand all the legalese but I would like to know ALL the facts up front. I looked thru contract but didn't see the "summaries" they said to see for details. Thanks for any help. Strikers, I am proud of your conviction and the fact that you stood up for what you believe in!
Posted by: Oldphart Location: At a Gate on Aug 25, 2008 at 12:28 AM

Cop Mom: Those that have no idea of what was in prior contracts to be able to compare to the contract that was rejected, have not walked in our shoes, and are mostly wanting to vent....and they do so here. Some become educated, and understand the position taken by so many that voted to strike. That does not mean they agree, but with knowledge comes understanding and tolerance. Those that either will not or cannot understand will post the same comments without ever thinking about how they portray themselves to the public. I think you have a lot of patience and admire you for your diligent efforts.
Posted by: Cop Mom Location: Wichita on Aug 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM

Grandma, I agree that some union workers are mediocre, same as some non-union members, same as some management. The reason for a union is to protect its members from unfair management practices. If companies treated their employees fairly on their own, we wouldn't need unions. You keep saying that the contract was fair. What is fair about giving raises and then raising our insurance costs more than the raises? Also, can you honestly believe the attendence policies for new hires are fair? My teenage daughter works at Wendy's part-time. Even as an unskilled worker, she doesn't get fired for missing time if she is sick or there is an emergency. You keep harping on all the "company gives" but don't mention even one take away. As has been said many times before, the strike is about more than just raises. I agree with Grandpa's Wife, you seem to be in possession of more facts on the contract than others on this site, so please share as maybe I am misinformed.
Posted by: Granpa's Wife Location: Wichita on Aug 24, 2008 at 10:21 PM

To Anonymous: What department are you a manager in? If you truly know what is going on, as you say you do, you must be on the inside. But then you say "From what I heard" which makes me think you either are not an employee at all or just a company person trying to stir up trouble. If you are not an employee or a family member of an employee, why do you care? As I said before, if the strikers and family members of strikers annoy you so much, stay off the site, don't listen to the news ect. In other words, get a life. If you have something constructive to say, whether pro or con, fine, but to me you just sound like you really don't know anything but just want to stir up trouble. And I really appreciate your concern for my bills, but don't worry, we saved for this strike and my bills are getting paid. And the $150.00 per week does help. Again, thank you for your concern. Stay strong strikers! ONE MORE DAY!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 23, 2008 at 08:58 AM

Ya great there is somebody here to sit and try and help get everybody a contract but ha nothing is happening yet and here comes week four. Week for also meens the first of the month I hope you can all pay your bills with that $150. This is a joke. Nobody is winning and the more that go back the less that are on the lines. I have read of people having to get other jobs to help pay the bills to they cannot be out there on the lines. What happen to all the noise you guys were making four weeks ago. Four people is not showing anybody anything it is just letting more people go back to work and pretty soon they will hit that 51%. So lets see who wins in the end. From what I have heard things are going just fine inside. Maybe not as fast as they would like but they are moving the only ones hurting are those on strike. Have fun and you lose more and more.
Posted by: Grandpa's Wife Location: Wichita on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:41 PM

Grandma: I did not get to read the contract so, as a worker's wife, I would like to know what the contract offered and took away. You seem to have all the info on the contract so please share. Thanks.
Posted by: Grandma on Aug 22, 2008 at 03:58 PM

I don't understand how offering a contract that includes more than one hundred million of additional costs over three years is a sign of disrespect.
Posted by: !!! Location: ict on Aug 22, 2008 at 02:41 PM

No he might not have called ugly names, BUT he says (by his actions) he doesn't think the employees are worth anything. To him ALL of the employees are a thorn in his side so he can't get a BIGGER BONUS.
Posted by: Grandma on Aug 21, 2008 at 04:52 AM

Cop Mom -- Don't know how you got the idea that EITHER side of my mouth is pro-union! That would certainly not be true. In my opinion, the union encourages mediocrity. Despite the fact that everyone who's ever had a child knows that you want to reward good behavor and punish bad, when the union contract says so, everyone gets exactly the same percentage raise. So what incentive does that provide to try to do a better job than the guy next to you? And don't even get me started on the abuse people have had to endure just to get to work during the strike. Your son should review the incident reports about vandalism, name-calling, and threats submitted during the strike. I'm not related to Jim Schuster, but if I had to pick, I'd sure rather be related to him than those screaming people I've seen on the picket lines. So far as I know, Schuster has been coming to work every day, doing the job he signed on to do, and hasn't called any of his co-workers ugly names.
Posted by: Cop Mom Location: Wichita on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:23 PM

My husband has been in contact with an employee inside and she has not heard of any vandalism. This person is in management so I don't think she would hide that fact as she is not in favor of the strike. My son is a Wichita police officer and he said to his knowledge the strike has been very peaceful with no reports of property damage or vandalism. What are you putting in your cookies, Grandma? Sour grapes?? Sounds to me that with one side of your mouth you are pro-union but really are just spreading anti-union hype. Are you sure you are related to Shuster?
Posted by: Grandma on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:49 PM

I wouldn't lie to you, and am in a position to know about the incidents. The auto body shops will have a lot of painting to do. And the insurance companies are going to be coming after those who did the damage, as they should. Pretty poor thinking to key the car of someone who is in the same department -- they'll recognize you!
Posted by: News Update on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:21 PM

Per IAM website and radio news, HBC and the Union will be meeting with a Federal mediator. One more day!!
Posted by: # on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:58 PM

Really Grandma?? I've heard alot of things but I hadn't heard that and I know someone crossing. They said that things seem to be pretty peaceful for it being a strike, where their at. Hasn't noticed any big problems with the strikers at all.
Posted by: Grandma on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:22 AM

There has been a LOT of car vandalism, threats, and bad behavior -- especially toward female employees. Too bad police reports aren't generally available to the public. No need for me to heat the oven yet.
Posted by: my grandmas not like that on Aug 20, 2008 at 07:36 AM

Ok granny, get to baking. There hasn't been any of that going on. Maybe an isolated instance. Where's your corroboration for your story?
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