District W24 woodworkers, their families, labor allies, and community members recently gathered at Local W246’s union hall in Springfield, OR for a show of solidarity with IAM District W24 Weyerhaeuser workers who have been on strike against the company for six weeks.
WATCH: Oregon AFL-CIO Rally Video
IAM District W24 Directing Business Representative Brandon Bryant, IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen, and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler all spoke to the audience about the strength W24 members in Washington and Oregon have shown on the strike line.
“A lot of our members have taken on additional roles that they’ve never had to do before,” said Bryant. “Being strike captains, making strike signs, spending time on the line. They’ve been helping organize strike check distribution. We’ve never had to do this before; it’s been 36 years since we’ve had to put on strike. Our members stepped up and made this strike as strong as it can be.”
Bryant announced that the bargaining unit reached a new tentative agreement with a company in a late-night session the evening before the rally.
READ: IAM District W24 Members in Pacific Northwest Strike Weyerhaeuser for Fair Contract
“We think it’s the best that we can get at this time, and we only got the best that we can get this time because of the strength of our members and what they did and holding the company accountable.”
Included in the tentative deal is the largest wage increases Weyerhaeuser woodworkers have seen in a four-year deal, a better shift differential, improved vacation, and fewer cuts than what the company was originally offering. The agreement puts strong caps on what employees’ healthcare costs will be, with no increases over the course of the contract.
READ: Weyerhaeuser workers continue strike, prepare to vote on tentative deal KEZI (ABC) News
“This kind of movement is going on all over the country and all over North America,” said Allen. “Our strength is from our unity and no matter what you decide to do next week when you vote on this contract, we walk in shoulder-to-shoulder, hand-in-hand, as brothers and sisters, because the majority rules.”
Shuler thanked District W24’s membership for their sacrifice on the strike line, saying it’s a hopeful sign for workers across the nation who are watching.
“The strength that you showed, coming together, holding the line ¾ you’re not just holding it for yourselves, you’re holding it for working people everywhere,” said Shuler. “You’re holding it for the next generation.”
@MachinistsUnion General VP, Western Territory, Gary Allen – "No matter what you decide to do next week when you vote on this contract, we walk in shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand as brothers and sisters because the majority rules in the Machinists Union."
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 21, 2022
"Met with them (@Weyerhaeuser) last night and came to an agreement" @MachinistsUnion District W24 President Brandon Bryant, "We only got the best that we can get at this time because of the strength of our members and holding them accountable."
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 21, 2022
Rally for Woodworker Justice: "We are fighting against corporate greed. We are the David to the corporate Goliath (@Weyerhaeuser), sparing against them and asking for our fair share." – @MachinistsUnion District W24 President Brandon Bryant
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 21, 2022
From the Rally for Woodworker Justice: "We love what we do, our members that are on strike now love what we do," @MachinistsUnion District W24 President Brandon Bryant, "And we want to get back and do that." @Weyerhaeuser
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 21, 2022
"This fight that you have been waging is about so much more than one employer," AFL-CIO President @graham_oregon, "this strike and this struggle are helping to inspire other workers to take a stand, to be brave, to push back, and to fight for fairness." @MachinistsUnion
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 21, 2022
"We're here to send a message," Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor, "the Oregon Labor movement will always stand with working people, no matter the struggle, no matter the location, no matter the industry." @MachinistsUnion
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 21, 2022
"When we fight, we win", AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor led the crowd in a chant at the Rally for Woodworker Justice: Do Better Weyerhaeuser! @MachinistsUnion
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 21, 2022