Hawker Beechcraft Machinists Approve Contract
Hawker Beechcraft Machinists Approve Contract Save Email Print
Reporter: Chris Frank
Email Address: chris.frank@kake.com
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Hawker Beechcraft machinists have just approved a second contract offer by 77%. They could return to work as early as Tuesday.

Hawker released a brief statement after the vote results were announced. The planemaker said it received word of the vote and "the company looks forward to all employees returning to work after Labor Day under the new contract."

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1:30 p.m.

There are a lot of mixed feelings among Hawker Beechcraft machinists as they prepare to vote on a new contract proposal, but many agree all eyes are on them. That's because this vote will not only impact their future, but could impact the way other aircraft companies handle their upcoming contracts.

"There were some important, substantial improvements," said Bob Wood, a spokesman for the Machinists Union.

The new contract proposal would freeze health care premiums for 3 years, increase pension benefits by $7 per month, per every year of service.

The vote is taking place at the Kansas Coliseum. Doors opened at 9 a.m. and voting will last until 2 p.m. Stay with KAKE for continuing coverage.
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Posted by: Hard worker on Sep 4, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Thanks for screwing up my ETO! The Union people are so dumb I cant believe it. I'm lost for words because no matter what anyone says you just keep lying to yourselves.
Posted by: Dave Location: Wichita on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Just as well Boeingite will not come back here. Trying to make him see things from a different point of view is like teaching quantum mechanics to a hamster. Real easy for him to look down on us union 'freaks' in a BLOG but out there he'll keep all that resentment about us so-called overpaid workers to himself. On a lighter note, it's great to be back at work!! Way to go guys!! Union strong!
Posted by: FormerBoeingite Location: ICT on Sep 2, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Spacecowboy, nice attempt at a rebuttal.By the tone of your attemted (of course HIGHLY flawed) responses you are SO clouded by "THE UNION WAY" you will NEVER see reality.The reality is YOU DID NOT hurt the company.As far as trying to "read" into what I did, or what I thought or said when I went home from work - way off base "BROTHER".In FACT, I did go home MANY times from Boeing and say to the wife how overpaid the aircraft builders are in this industry.DO NOT attempt to do what you cannot do - typical union mindset though. Argue about what you have absolutly no idea about...you union FREAKS make me laugh, always have - always WILL...LOL. AND AGAIN I SAY YOU ARE GREEDY!!! Try to rebutt - I'll not look here again, so type away UNION FREAK. HA, HA, HA. For the record, not wanting to pay more out of pocket is ALL GREED, idiot.
Posted by: 30 yrs from the floor to management Location: To Jamie on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Jamie;If you are unable to afford to pay for your husband medication right now, please have him go to First Aid Tuesday morning & talk to Morrie Scheffler. Morrie will help to get him get his medication. Your husband's health is more important than the politics of this whole mess. Also the Union leadership was never without insurance, it is part of their benefits package for working for the Union. Do yourself a favor & go to UnionFacts.com. It is a website to give you all the informantion on all unions. The Center for Union Facts database is built on information released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from a number of federal agencies, including: The Department of Labor The Equal Employment Opportunity Commision The Federal Election Commission The Internal Revenue Service The National Labor Relations Board The United States Senate. It is not a bunch of someone's opinions, it is factual data. Click thru to the Machinist Union & your local District 70.
Posted by: 30 yrs from the floor to management Location: Jamie on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Jamie;Everyone's insurance was reinstated effective Aug. 29th by the company,when the new contract was bought. It will take 7-10 days for the paperwork to catch up. You will have to pay for medication until paperwork catches up(7-10days), but you can file a claim & will be reinbust 100% of what the company had picked up before. Call BlueCross & confirm,if you don't believe me. Company told everyone over & over,if they choose to honor the strike, their insurance ended the 1st day that they didn't report to work. The Union never paid any member's Corbra. They said they would help you fill out paperwork. Before the strike, the company told everyone over & over that they would have to purchase the cobra insurance&pay out of their pockets, if they were on strike. Everyone was told a Family plan is over$600.00 a month. It was on the Company Web site. The Union Leadership has insurance as part of their benefit package thru the Union, they were never without insurance. I hope this helps!
Posted by: Jamie Location: Wichita on Sep 1, 2008 at 05:24 PM
My husband who has been at HBC for 34 years was told by Kurt that the union paid a months of Cobra ins. for us because of all the medications we need. It is 5:19 PM on Monday. My husband just called Dillons about picking up our medicines, that we can not go without. Well guess what no one paid cobra ins. and we still cant get our medicines unless we pay full price. Is anyone but me surprised by this?? Union just lied to my husband, They care nothing about their members. I wonder just how many of the top union officials got vouchers to pay for what they need. I think all the top union officials need to go. Put threi lazy lying butts back out on the shop floor to work.
Posted by: Agree100% Location: Wichita on Aug 30, 2008 at 08:30 AM
To 30 yrs. from the floor management: YOU ARE EXACTLY CORRECT!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: 30 yrs from the floor to management on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:48 PM
What has happened is sad. Regardless if anyone will admit it,what has happened to this company isn’t entirely the company’s fault.The integrity,pride,&quality of workers throughout the company have changed. College Kids looking down their noses,looking for power,with egos that are staggering. HR has no backbone& fails miserably at supporting mngmnt with getting rid of lazy troublemakers.Union Leadership is just as spineless by protecting them. Jobs going to Mexico,as we stand together strong, calling the company greedy,while we demand more money,more time off with pay,& waste hr after hr with bogus grievances. How do we compete with people who want jobs,are welling to work everyday,& are grateful? It’s time we stop pointing fingers, blaming each other,& figure out,it isn’t about making the company give more. Its about the company &the employees all giving 100%,& standing together to get rid of those who don’t. The strike hurt everyone. We are going to have to pull together to survive
Posted by: Spacecowboy Location: Union Steward Plant 4 on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Former Boeingite: There's is nothing greedy about not wanting an increase in your health care. There's nothing greedy about making sure that the benefits we had, we still have. Judging by your name, I have an idea as to why your down on unions. Just don't let that cloud your thinking. Remember this, without the unions the wages would be about half as much as they are now. If you did work at Boeing, I doubt you went home and said "Gee, this is just too much money." When you have 27,000 union workers in your back yard, it may be easier to demand wage increases. I can assure you, the strike against HBC did not involve a dispute over wage increases. Even in the short amount of time this strike lasted, HBC lost profits. If the strike wasn't effecting the company we would still be out there. Nice attempt at an argument, but it doesn't wash.
Posted by: X-Stiker on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Our new company spokesman that has been with HBC since Jan 2008 has learned alot in his first 8 months. 1. That was not the "best offer in 20 years" 2. Why did his hearing fail on the first offer....Did you miss the hearing test? The second offer he was quoted as saying " we listened". 3. Union Machinist Rock! 4. Don't be like my CEO and push opinions on a misrepresented contract to your employees that are quality individuals that are of sound mind. 5. Don't invest $20,000 dollars in a anti-gambling stance as Schuster did, and cram your opinion down your workforce in 2007. Only to see a loss to Sedgwick County on the $585 million to build, and whatever the loss was on the employment only a few feet from our county line! 6.I know I am a puppet for HBC and will do what it takes to be next in line for the new creation of a VP position. 7. The majority of employees have earned the respect they deserve. 8. It was really not "business as usual" Stand proud Machinists!
Posted by: Unionguy Location: wichita on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:44 PM
union worker wrote: "in my 9 yrs i have yet to see someone so skilled that they couldnt be replaced...and to all you so skilled workers...you all were new at one time too..and the guy that trained you thought he couldnt be replaced too..." Some of my friends who walked the picket line are superbly skilled workers - light years ahead of me to be honest and I consider myself a good technician. I assure you, there are many workers, notably, in the HBC flightline, that are too valuable for sudden replacement unless thorough training took place from these people to new hires. King Air flight test is an utter disaster now because of this strike.
Posted by: union worker Location: ict on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:14 PM
it look slike it is time for a huge lay off.. again..people have forgotten what it is to make 9 or less per hr and how tough it was to find a job duuring the lay off of 2002-2003... former boeing is right.... i couldnt believe the greed i was hearing the last days of the strike...it got down to ..they didnt give us a signing bonus or nothing.....it was as if the company should be begging..in my 9 yrs i have yet to see someone so skilled that they couldnt be replaced...and to all you so skilled workers...you all were new at one time too..and the guy that trained you thought he couldnt be replaced too...
Posted by: FormerBoeingite Location: Ict on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Spacecowboy, It is ALL about greed.I walked the line twice when i was at the big "B".Then (while in the mindset of those that don't know the real world)I considered what I was doing to be noble - probably much like you did recently.But then I was thrust back into the real world and realized that mentality is ALL about greed. Let me explain, the company owes you nothing but a paycheck for an honest days work, the mindset that the company owes the employees a "share" of any profits earned while that employee works there is just plain GREED. You got what you were "owed" in the form of your overly inflated paychecks.I paid union dues for 8.5 yrs - and to be honest, it was the biggest waste of maoney in my entire life. Heard of Right to Work, labor unions did their thing in the beginning, but have NO power now - not comparitivly anyway. How about discussing the companies option to push their production schedule in the event of a strike. Short term strikes, like this last, are non-effective.
Posted by: Bill Location: Wichita on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Yes I remember that.But they didn't suspend you or publicly go after you .It was a matter of negotiation .Good faith-Bad faith. Management and stock holders don't like strikes when there is work to be done.Every deal must have wiggle room.It is well said for the union that the strike was peacful .Never confuse respect for intimidation though.I wish you well in further negotiations.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Look Bill, the company was the first to get pushy trying to push the first contract. Don't you remember how the managers were telling us that the first contract was the best and final offer? At least we didn't back down, like some, and I think the company respected us for that.
Posted by: Union Made on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Good to see an honest manager. Just when we thought they were all bad. Thanks for your vote of confidence.
Posted by: Bill Location: Wichita on Aug 29, 2008 at 08:50 AM
As I watched KAKE news this morning I listened to a lady explaining what happened during the strike and how glad they were to go back to work.Only problem with her explanation was when she said that Hawker now had "respect" for the union members.No honey,no.Hawker now views the union as a necessary pain in the neck.No respect gained .No respect due.The union got into Hawkers face and the results are the same as with any other pushy confrontation.Resentment.
Posted by: Manager Location: Hawker Beechcraft on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:55 AM
When I hired on, I was in the union. I believe in the union and what it stands for. I don't like brown-nosers, never did. The few that did cross were the ones that I couldn't count on to do the job. (except for one) Give me the workers that know the job and that I can trust. I will welcome the union workers back with open arms and I am glad it is over. Got to go to work now. See you Tuesday!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:18 AM
If the members are happy with it then that is all that matters. The rest of the blowhards that want to complain about the strike need to worry about their own business. As much as they've complained about these people making more money and benefits than them maybe they ought to think about getting off their duffs, get some training and get themselves a job that will provide a decdent living, health care and a pension. Otherwise just sit back and sulk.
Posted by: X on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:17 AM
why dont both sides of the table, both strikers and non-strikers, try to get what has occured behind them and try to have some good words. strikers be proud of that you have done and dont let anyone push you for it, it was your right and you exercized it. non-strikers, they were doing what they had the right to do by striking, while some words and destructive actions were caused by a minority, try to be friendly with your fellow HBC workers when they do return. A hostile work environment benefits no one, return to work, shake hands, and lets go from there
Posted by: me Location: worker on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:46 PM
thank GOD they all went back to work now we can hear whats really going on in the world and not just about those poor striking hawker workers.
Posted by: anonymous Location: salina on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:36 PM
How typical that the strike is over and so many unionites are still complaining. Get over yourselves. Look at the big picture of life and what real suffering in some parts of the world consists of; poverty, hunger, war, incurable diseases,homelessness, and natural disasters that destroy billions of dollars of property. Look around in your own home town and you will easily find thousands of people worse off than you. Take the time to help someone less fortunate and you will instantly feel blessed!
Posted by: union forever Location: wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:36 PM
To all the people that hate unions,what do you think HAWKER BEECHCRAFT would pay you if there were no union, considering we're already the lowest paid aircraft company in town, more than likely, what your really worth $6.75 an hr.
Posted by: Steve Location: Salina on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Teamwork you never answered my question where were you during the strike?? Inside or Outside the gates?
Posted by: Teamwork on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Steve, your so closed minded its pathetic. Your the exact kind of person that will cause a company not to succeed. No i am not a scab. A scab is one who did not or does not have a job and replaced the strikers position when they were on strike.
Posted by: Hard worker Location: Reality on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:59 PM
HBC threw you peanuts and your acting like you moved mountains.Your all idiots seriously.Stop saying $7 when you only gained $1 over the original offer. You lost way more than you gained! Please carry on with lying to yourselves.Unions used to fight for peoples rights, now its a shield for lazy people who cant stand out in a crowd, only follow it.I crossed the line and have no regrets.Looks like I will lose the respect of people who I never had any for in the first place.Is it luck the news only interview's people with mullets and seem to have low IQ's? Keep believing in your "union".Never underestimate the stupidity of large groups of people. Thanks for nothing i am sad some of you are returning. How about you stay out ONE DAY LONGER!
Posted by: union worker Location: ict on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:43 PM
this to all the women that are standing up for your men...what are you tammy wynette..for God sakes..the reason they crossed the picket line was either cuz you made them with fear or they crossed to get away from you.... my wife..(ex now..thank God!!!) use to complain about the union dues...complained about the overtime(she wouldnt work) but she sure as heck loved spending the money on herself.. so ladies..when you gripe..jus remeber as you slide your butt in those designer jeans..and walk through your house ..go into the garage and hop in your new car..you have two people to thank you husband for helping you to achieve and some poor union guy along time ago who risked not only his job but in some cases his life to go out on strike ..no we may not have gotten a whole lot but we did go forward and not back wards..i was not in favor of the strike but i did support my brothers and sisters...and you and your hubby are welcome..we got you a raise !!!!!
Posted by: union girl Location: wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:36 PM
if we are whiners, what do you call all of these people posting here on the web, company ____ ___, we were not afraid to be out,if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.What woud some of you stand for the company,see you in mexico
Posted by: scratchy joe Location: ict on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:30 PM
way to go strikers! you make white trash look good!
Posted by: Steve Location: Salina on Aug 28, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Hey Teamwork if we were all a team we ALL would have been standing out there together as a team, by the way where were you when we stood up to HBC?? You sound like a scab to me.....
Posted by: Pro Union Location: Air Capital on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Every aircraft plant in Wichita is Union. The Union is in place because the majority of it's workers want to be represented by the Union. So, if you don't like Unions,find a non-union company to work for. If the Unions are driving the companies out of business why are they all doing so well? Aircraft union workers are the majority and they need us to build the product. We are giving the company a large part of our life and sacrificing our health for the company, we should be compensated fairly. Everyone has their own opinion of what fair is. That is why we vote. I voted to except the company's first offer. Imagine that. But I stayed the course because that's what it's all about. Solidarity. Hawker Lied! They said the first offer was the final offer. Today was the final offer. Could have saved a lot of unfortunate events, had they offered these little changes in the first final offer. God bless Jeff Hart and family. May he rest in peace.
Posted by: HBC Location: HBC on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:23 PM
my car got keyed and thrown rocks at during the strike... what will happen to your union car next week??? hmmmmm.....
Posted by: Salary Location: HBC on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:22 PM
hey union babies.... you made us late for work and late getting out of work for weeks and weeks... so don't be surprised when the payback comes your way.... and there won't be a thing you can do about it... and you won't know when or where it's coming... but it will come... Salary supports the SCABS!!!
Posted by: union worker Location: ict on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:04 PM
how did the strike get one of our own killed?? i am sick of people blaming hbc or th IAM for JEff's death.... Jeff was a good guy and i am sick of his death being used as harsh words...it is very sick!!!
Posted by: Thanks on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Thanks Cessna and Spirit for creating jobs for Wichita, Ks. Maybe HBC can take some notes on how this works! "Project Meadowlark" has a nice ring to it! Don't you think!
Posted by: sassyantique on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:32 PM
It is very disturbing to see the people who hide behind their computer to make such outlandish statements as the one made by omg...if you have no respect for yourself at least have some for the friends and family of Jeff Hart. Your compasion, your judgement, and your intelligence is showing..Whoops! maybe you should continue to hide to make your judgements
Posted by: Union man on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:19 PM
I agree with anonymous. We ALL need to work on stopping all the outsourcing. Also, very well said X-Striker!!!!
Posted by: Spacecowboy Location: Union Steward Plant 4 on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:49 PM
omg: I sincerely wish you would let Jeff rest in peace. His tragic death was not caused by any greediness on the part of the union. We went on strike, not for more money; but to keep from getting a raise in insurance and a loss of benefits. But I guess to you it's more dramatic to take the low road. You disgust me.
Posted by: To hey on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:32 PM
My husband has put in more sweat and blood to that company for almost 15 yrs. He did not agree with the strike, he voted yes and I tell you what...he was in the union and when he was on 2nd shift, while his son played baseball and other sports, he asked to go to 1st. He had the senority. They told him, your next in line, well that came and went. So he went to his so called union and they did nothing for him. So dont boast about your precious union, they help who they want and dont help for others. Some union stewards are useless, I SAID SOME. My husband is a great worker, has excellent attendance and has schooling to back his skills. He has never had trouble with anyone and has always helped and trained those who need it. In fact in his area he is the go to for training. So NO He wasnt going to walk a stupid line for a crappy cause! He crossed the line and went to work! The union is useless to us, and if we needed to, he would go elsewhere, but he is happy where he is!
Posted by: Union BS Location: ICT on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:21 PM
I can hear the whiner Union memebers...the union sold us out! One day longer..Boeing and Cessna have better contracts. They have blah blah blah... It's he same contract with a few twists: capped insurance, eto and no pay deductions. Heard it already, panhandled it else where.
Posted by: omg on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:08 PM
wow. nate-- you are right. this was ridiculous. i hope all you union rats are happy that one of your own was killed by your greediness. You all deserve NOTHING! whine whine whine whine is all we hear. BOO freaking WHO! Get a life.
Posted by: Teamwork???? on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:08 PM
what this strike has done is it has divided the company. that doesn't make a company stronger it weakens one. You need team work to make a company sucessful and the only thing posted on these blogs is how nobody is going to help nobody. Sounds like we (the company) not union, not scabs, were better off acting as a team before this all happened.
Posted by: X- Stiker on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Talk all the trash you want to about the union. You know as well as I do without their support from the very beginning this would have been alot worse for the working class. I don't always agree with the union, but I am of sound mind to make my decisions based on all the facts presented. Say what you will but the majority of the Machinists are hard working, loyal individuals that just want to be treated fairly and with the respect that they have earned. It's really not our fault that HBC's inadequate management can't police these employees, both union and non-union that are a waste of a positive outcome. The only tool they have in place is a annual preformance review that is not used like it should be. For example I have not received one of those since 2001. Standing up for what we believe in never felt so good no matter what the monetary cost. Standing proud looking forward to 2011! All of our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the family of Jeff Hart. God Bless America!!!!
Posted by: Hbc Proud Crosser!! Location: BEHIND THE GATE on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:03 PM
"Gene" you just can't refrain from the name calling can you?! How old are you anyways? You notice it's always the union members doing the name calling, how mature!
Posted by: spraypainter Location: wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:58 PM
No loss of eto! Front loaded pension for retirees by and increase of 7 dollars next january! Ability to use all eto in increments! Increased dental and vision! Reinstatement of probationary employees! No required overtime for alternate workshifts! Same 12 percent raise over 3 years! Improved health insurance! NO jobs downgraded! 21 upgraded! Increased short term disability benefits by 50 dollars a week! More vacation time 2 years sooner than before! Choice of hospitals and plans! Paid double time even when using ETO and vacation!! Same 4% match on 401k! We Got alot more than you think! Hold your heads high the company knows we are strong!!
Posted by: JR Location: Plant 2 on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Finally: Two words> You know what they are!
Posted by: Spacecowboy Location: Union Steward Plant 4 on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:55 PM
striker: A real man doesn't let his wife do all his talking for him. The issues that we were striking against were resolved. Personally, I'm glad your husband's not "putting into it anymore",either. We'll do just fine without him. Does your wife drive you to work, too. SAD!
Posted by: anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Where are the numbers at? How can anyone trust the outcome when the UNION Refuses to release the totals. sound fishy!! Of course when the union offices are supported with by HBC(Electrical, supplies and so fourth) it would not be supprising to find that the company wanted a few weeks off. 760,000 a day in saved wages and still delivering aircrafts sure does help a weak bottom line. By the way the 4% back pay check for hard working honest hourly works annonced by the company today is great.
Posted by: Union Proud on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:43 PM
oh ok the contract could have been better and had a bonus on it but it didn't so we go to work and i want all the scabs on Tuesday when we go in to kiss our butts when we walk on the shop floors on and say thank you for this contract and we will not say nothing if we dont like it cause we turned on the union and walked over the line and didn't stay outside to help make the contract better!
Posted by: anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:42 PM
I am sure glad to see that the union worried about things that matter. New employees will have barely earned 5 days of eto by the end of the next contract. something the company wanted to give all along. The union should have been working on stoping all the outsourcing that continued in full swing while the pickters walked. seems like people need to get a reality check.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Scabs rule, strikers drool!
Posted by: FOUR Location: THE GREENS on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:36 PM
The vacations over time to put down the GOLF CLUBS and get back on the grind. I love the UNIONS.
Posted by: union golfer Location: ezmoney on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Well it looks like its time to get back on the grind and put down the GOLF CLUBS and pickup a rivet gun and bucking bar again.It's nice to get back to work that $150 a week for 4hrs was tuff to live on, between the green fees and beer it didn't stretch that far.Will do it again in 3yrs until HBC figures it out.Again thanks for the vacation HBC.
Posted by: kiss my $#@! on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I cant believe how ignorant you little pathetic people are. Why dont you go pick up your wellfare checks and get back to watching springer. you dont know how it is out there and we just wanted to stop them from pushing us around. we did that. so stop being jealous that your to stupid, lazy and worthless to work on aircraft that the company makes billions off of because of our blood sweat and tears. you people who dont work the industry or at all,or you scabs wives get a life because you are truly pathetic!
Posted by: union worker Location: union on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:16 PM
stiker ..what would make you happy in a contract....i would love to see the 23 percent that rejected this contract to hold out ...not come in and protest...you got your raises..you got a freeze in your ins premium...you got your eto days back....if you all would hold out i would buy to some pizza and run it out to you when you walked the picket line....so striker stand by your man..while he is in hbc i want you to walk the line..i will buy you lunch! that would be funny to see !!!!
Posted by: Hey on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:15 PM
To striker wrote "..You showed them nothing! The union at Hawker is a joke and I am glad my husband doesnt put into it anymore." Tell me.. what has YOUR husband done to make a difference? Did he walk the picket line? Was he more capable at giving us a better deal? If so,I'll admit this strike was not worth it.
Posted by: UnionGuy on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:10 PM
"you showed the company jack! you showed them they you would stay out almost a month, they could come back and tweak it a little and i mean A LITTLE bit" The 'little' bit was quite substantial. They were all the take-aways. We got the company to put them back in to make a 'standard' contract. A lot of people are missing the point. Whether the contract was horrible or just a little sub-par, we were willing to strike to make it fair. If we hadn't striked, we would have gotten an even more disastrous contract next time around. NEXT contract year, they will think twice before underestimating us again.
Posted by: Johnathon Location: ICT on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:07 PM
hahaha FINALLY WE WON!!!
Posted by: JustAThought Location: Maize on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Great news for these folks! Just a note next time they decide to strike, gain better public support by keeping the deliverance looking banjo playing yokels off the picket line!!!! How embarrasing!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Not very much for a life lost?Hey why don't all you ********* donate $1,000 each to the children that are parentless now?
Posted by: Union Worker Location: Wichita Ks on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:34 PM
I am glad that we are returning to work. At times it was getting hard but my family still made. I know that there could have been more changes to this new contract but i am still thankful. GOD BLESS....
Posted by: Gene Location: Wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:33 PM
How long before the scabs and non-union parasites start screaming "the union sold us out"?
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Thank heavens! It is about time!
Posted by: Spacecowboy Location: Union Steward Plant 4 on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Anti-union: Your the same shmuck that will whine to the union because he got reprimanded for attendance.
Posted by: to striker on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:26 PM
you showed the company jack! you showed them they you would stay out almost a month, they could come back and tweak it a little and i mean A LITTLE bit and you all would cave with 77%! You showed them nothing! The union at Hawker is a joke and I am glad my husband doesnt put into it anymore. They never helped him before and he doesnt plan on needing their help now!
Posted by: finally Location: derby,ks on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:24 PM
finally now quit whining and get back to work
Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Jeez, the union people that post on here are hostile. I hope all machinists aren't so nasty.
Posted by: anti-union Location: wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Unions are worthless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Spacecowboy Location: Union Steward plant 4 on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Nate: Maybe you should wait for the results to come back before you go opening your PIEHOLE!! It has never been about greed.
Posted by: ..andHEREWEGO Location: Wichita on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Behold! And now here's a bunch of hate mail from the ones who crossed thanking us for all the extra overtime, the steak and ice cream, and the planes that WE finished before THEY delivered them. Enjoy!!...
Posted by: HB wife on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Nate: Until you've walked in our shoes you have no right to comment.
Posted by: union worker Location: ict on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:07 PM
regardless how this goes..i am working on tuesday....i agree nate...there are some very greedy members that dont want a fair ontract they want it all and then some...
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Go flip your burger
Posted by: Striker Location: Rose Hill on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:56 PM
I'd be very surprised if the contract was rejected. The negotiation commitee recommended approval and I think there are many members that are feeling the crunch. Bottom line is we showed HBC that the union is unified and we will not accept an unfair contract.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I can hear the scabs now.....(in a baby voice) "This isn't good enough." Well, it could've been better and faster if they would've stayed out also.
Posted by: Nate on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:39 PM
And this will not be good enough for the union either.. nothing ever is. So GREEDY
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