I am deeply saddened and grieved that the negotiations resulted in a strike. Our family has endured nearly 10 years with the company. This is the fourth contract our family has been presented and the first strike we have experienced. In the past we have feared a strike because we did not want to bring about undue hardship upon ourselves. Today we are uniting together not only for ourselves, not only for those who work at Hawker Beechcraft but for workers all over America who are concerned about today’s present and future corporate greed, treatment of workers, benefits, and loosing their jobs to foreign soil. This is America, land of the free! Blood has spilled for the freedoms we have today. The ‘take aways’ we are experiencing today are not only in companies being operated in America but also in the laws of our country. The plaque on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, known as The New Colossus, says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breath free….” The plaque carries a universal message of hope and freedom.
So the time has come for the voices of those who represent the union to be heard in unity. Sometimes it takes the voices of a few to stand up for the many. These individuals often march to the beat of a different drum. Their core values reach deep into the heart of their soul with a compassion that cherishes life as a precious gift. “All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmond Burke).
The promotion of harmonious relationships with both the company and employees are necessary for the success of the company. This can be demonstrated in part by the ability for both the employer and employees to communicate effectively to negotiate a fair and equitable contract that clearly values ALL of their employees. A team effort on behalf of both the company and their employees promotes an espirit de core that embraces the mission of the company which creates loyalty among workers.
The Hawker Beechcraft strike is about telling the truth, treating workers with decency, respect, dignity and honoring their families in the process. People who do not work at Hawker probably will not fully realize the concerns of the employees and their families. People need to get the facts. There is no sense in bickering, downgrading, and actions leading to bitterness and ongoing rivalry which will ultimately contribute to ongoing economic downturn. Truthfully, many employees at Hawker Beechcraft and their families are already making sacrifices, are in the process of loosing or have lost their homes, vehicles, and some have lost their jobs. Their families are WHY they work. While families may not have it all together, together they can GET through it all. Together, families are learning how to survive these difficult times.
Anonymous
