Sunday, August 26, 2007

WOW! From the mailbag.

We recently received this letter from the Engineer's union at the Boeing Company in Seattle:

Dear Brother Walker:


As your struggle to secure a fair contract from United Space Alliance (USA) continues, the 24,000 members of SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001, send our support for a successful outcome to your members. Please use the enclosed check to help your members and continue your work.


We recognize the USA joint venture ties your local to the Boeing Company. As such, we consider you co-workers, as well as our union brothers and sisters. It is unconscionable that NASA administration tried to undermine talks and dictate an unfair contract. The hard work your members are doing today to hold the line will help page the way for every union negotiating a contract in the aerospace industry in the coming year. Several of our own bargaining units will renew contracts in 2008. Naturally, we are watching your struggle.


Your fight at Kennedy Space Center is our fight. Stand strong and know every member of SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001, is at your side.


In Solidarity,


Cynthia Cole, President

Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace

Enclosed in the letter was a check to the strike fund for $5,000!

Thank you to SPEEA ever so much from every member on strike.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Launch Day photos

Here's a gallery of photos of the rat and launch day. Tip o' the hat to Richard Peddicord and Marty C. for the pics! If you've got some pics, send'em in!

Monday, August 6, 2007

Teachers from Heaven!

We want to thank the Brevard Federation of Teachers and Florida Nurses Association/Wuestoff Hospital for coming to the rally yesterday and handing out schools supplies and certificates for school supplies for the children of the strikers. They are working to make sure that our children are affected as little as possible by this strike.

They handed out boxes of supplies, and they have our undying gratitude. It's support like this that gives us the strength of solidarity to go on. From left to right: Cherline Gipson, Central Area Director of BFT, Janet Eastman, second Vice President, BFT, Sharnel Smith, Wuesthoff Hospital Collective Bargaining Unit, and Ann Spencer, President of BFT.
Lining up for supplies!
Murry Hill hands out supplies for Striker Jim Severson for his sons Dillon, Colton, and Austin.

Successful Rally Sunday

Our rally Sunday was well-attended, and there was plenty of food, and the weather cooperated, it wasn't too hot under the Fox Lake Park pavilion, and everyone had a good time, and the day was even capped off with an appearance of skydivers, for those who stuck around long enough after the rally!

Both General Vice President Martinez and DBR Johnny Walker spoke, updating everyone on the solidarity of the membership, and the way forward. GVP Martinez reminded everyone that our strike is STILL 91% strong.

In closing, he said: "We are strong. We believe we are winning this strike, and we believe we are going to win this strike for our families, and our future," to the applause of the membership.

GVP Martinez was joined at the rally by International Reps Aerospace Coordinator John Crowdis, Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin, Grand Lodge Representative Dave Porter, and Communications Representative Bob Wood, all in attendance for support.

GVP Martinez, DBR Walker stayed after the rally answering questions from the membership.

Big Crowd!GVP Martinez with Aerospace Coordinator Mark BlondinHanding out strike checks
These cupcakes look GOOD!