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September 1st 2024 - Message from IAM District W24 PDBR Brandon Bryant



As we begin the last week of our scheduled bargaining for our new Union Contract with Boeing, I’ve been reflecting on the opportunity we also have to celebrate Labor Day.  Your bargaining team will continue to be hard at work this weekend and on the holiday, and we truly hope you get a chance to rest and reflect on the important and great work you do. You are joining the millions and millions of labor supporters that have come before us; to further the great fight we have, for respect on the job and capturing a fair share of the profits our work creates. 

 

Long ago, in 1812, Machinist Matthew Maguire, of New Jersey founded Labor Day in 1882.  The Labor Movement since then has accomplished many significant improvements to workers and their families’ lives. Organized Labor, mainly through a Union, have secured the elimination of child labor, developed a system to protect workers from unsafe working conditions, and fought back the 16-hour work day. With the millions and millions of workers that stood up for what is right, that came before us and the tens of millions that stand with us today, we have accomplished some great things:

 

Overtime rules

The 40-hour Work Week

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Better Pay

Paid Vacations and Holidays

Improved Retirement Security

Seniority Rights to a Job

Structured Grievance Procedures

 

And many many more improvements, protections, rights, and power in our workplaces. This was only done, because we walked that path together with our sisters and brothers in the Labor Movement. The African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," encapsulates the history of Unions, and the work we do. 

 

This is not just about a history lesson or a nice proverb. These are reflected images of the task we are undertaking today. Our current work on this contract is the next step, and it is a large step, in furthering the mission.  You, our strong Union, has entrusted us with this responsibility. Your committee is still fighting for all those items that you told us were important: higher wages, retirement security, better work life balance, solid healthcare, and job security. We are going to battle every day with the company's committee to secure those improvements in your next contract. We take our responsibility seriously not only because it is the right path but also because you deserve our best. 

 

That is why working long hours and giving of ourselves day in and day out, becomes its own reward. Doing the good work, the right work, the important work we do for our members, comes naturally for us. We believe in it and wouldn't want it any other way.

 

On this Labor Day 2024, the 142nd Labor Day, take the time to recoup, rest, and reflect. This is OUR holiday. This is a LABOR holiday. This is the UNION Holiday. We have a day to celebrate the great work we have done and will continue to do. This Labor Day kicks off the most important week of this negotiation. Our fight has not wavered. Our resolve has not waned. Our Union and our membership are strongest when we stand together.  Together we will fight and together we will secure our future.

 

Our Future! Our Fight!

Happy Labor Day!

Brandon R. Bryant

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