We love our Union and our companies we work for..BUT we are only asking for VERY fair wages for the cost of living and raising our families at a reasonable comfort level.. Come on negotiators get this show on the road and offer us something worth taking!! We support our Union 110% - :) Thanks for lookin' out for us!

Anonymous Wife - Union 699

Most employees only receive a 3-4% annual raise. It seems that the union is asking for a $4.66 increase per hour over three years. A 3% increase would be $1.44. Essentially the union is asking for almost a 10% increase per year...I think that $14 over a 4 year period is extremely generous. Wish I worked in an industry that gave 7-10% increases every year. With the economy the way it is I think people should be grateful for what they get.

As a union member, I am honor-bound to respect your picket line. That said, I have to agree with Washingtonnative1968: you are aking for a pretty large wage package and now you have thrown down the gauntlet, essentially forcing the rest of us to support you. Inasmuch as I (and my fellow workers) will be losing a lot of money during this action, I want you to at least remember us and resolve the issue promptly. Unlike you, I did not vote for this strike, but I still have to share the burden with you, and it is going to hurt. $30K in 4 years isn't enough? Pardon my lack of sympathy.

I vehemently disagree! This strike needed to happen. NO ONE wants a LONG strike!! BUT we do expect fair wages.. We are most certainly not being unreasonable. Many of these men/women are supporting families and those sprinkler's they put in, save people's lives!!!

94% voted this way for a reason! We don't have paid holidays, vacations or sick days in our contracts. We have alot of benefits, but we take drastic paycuts during the year b/c of these holidays, and b/c of the demand for sprinklers' we don't take many vacations!

These men/women work HARD for the money they earn! We need to support that. Your numbers are wrong to my knowledge, and i am a Union wife! Not to mention how much of that goes to the government, we are the highest taxed tax payers b/c of where we fall in the amount we make each year.

Enough said, i support my husband and i support this strike, i hope it is settled REALLY quickly b/c we all have jobs to do and mouths to feed but until they come back with a fair offer - we are doing what Union's do -supporting fair wages and safe working conditions and fair pay.

Our company has always provided for us, we support them too, but we have to stand up for what is fair and right for our families.

Anonymous wife

You are in the highest taxed bracket, because you (I mean your husband) makes so much $$. I wouldn't be complaining about that.

$14 over 4 years is VERY generous! Especially given the current economy.

WE already took a low paying contract - remember the last one. It's our turn - and quite frankly we have LOTS of work even with the given economy.. :)

YOU SAID: You are in the highest taxed bracket, because you (I mean your husband) makes so much $$. I wouldn't be complaining about that.]

Hmm.. ummm so let the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Come on. No one stands for their Unions anymore or what?!!

Anonymous wife

No vacation pay? No holidays? Those are luxuries, not rights. You have so much work that you can't take a vacation? How about people who work hard every day and still can't take a vacation, even if they get paid for the time off? I certainly wouldn't call making upwards of $100K a year getting poorer. I once worked for a union shop and I still believe in loyalty to my employer, not the union. I earn my raises based on performance, not a contract.

I should have gone to college and majored in sprinkler fitting

that's the best part...none of these guys have gone to college. and yet they still think they deserve more than $100,000/year. "reasonable comfort level" my a$$ they are looking for the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

I am amazed at the arrogance that people have in commenting on this subject, and at the ignorance of the person who wrote the original article.
To assume you know what a person in a specialized field of work, directly involving a minimum of 5 years training on the job with college credited classwork in a position of creating life safety for the public should be paid, is foolish of them.
The systems that are installed by local 699's men and women are there to protect firemen and women and your lives. Often these systems are installed at heighths exceeding 30 feet sometimes in upwards of 100 feet above the ground or other dangerous situations. Everyday these people are up long before many others, are awake and are required to drive their own vehicle(paying for their own gas) from their homes in Tacoma to Everett or vice versa. Gone from their homes in excess of 12 hours a day most days, being paid for only 8. No paid vacations, no paid holidays, no bonuses, only to work mentally and physically, challenged beyond the capacity of many. For any one of these people to make $100,00 a year also requires them to work a tremendous amount of overtime.
Please, folks, do not be misled once again by the media telling partial stories with twisted verbage and by those people who feel that they are qualified by some sense of self righteousness to know what the real story is here.
Thank you.

Waaah, waaah, waaah! I am so sick of the Unions crying about how "the Man" is constantly sticking it to them.

A journeyman sprinkler fitter makes a few cents short of 40 bucks an hour! That's DOUBLE what most teachers make in order to educate your "mouths to feed" while also trying to support their own families.

"...fair and right for our families..." - Whatever.
"It's our turn..." - Poor baby.

Unions served their purpose once upon a time, but not anymore. Get off your a$$, take responsibility for your own life, be grateful you even have a job, grow up and quit whining about how rough you have it because life isn't handed to you on a silver platter.

Speaking of ignorance...Most job pay is based on supply and demand of the workforce. You do not have to be an overpaid union worker to be a good sprinkler fitter(there are many good non-union fitters). At a time when most people are struggling to pay bills, these people have the arrogance to demand 14 MORE an hour(minimum wage is 8), driving up all of our costs of living(all public projects costs are based on union scale).

I find it entertaining how people think just because these guys don't have college degrees, they do not deserve good money. If the college grads are envious, they should have taken up this trade. Comercial construction in the greater Seattle area is on fire, the shops who employ these guys are posting record profits. Why not get a raise that keeps up with the skyrocketing cost of food, housing, and gas. 100k a year is great money, but it wont get you on MTV cribs or anything. Why does everybody always get mad at anybody who actually has bargaining power for their skills? There are only 500 members of this union? I bet many are going to be retiring in the next 10-15 years and the next generation of skilled tradesmen need to be atractted. College? Not for everybody. Attract the best and the brightest in your industry by offering the best $$. If this was an easily learned trade there would be many non union shops in competition with them. There aren't. Skilled,motivated, efficient, quality craftsmen will never go out of style. And a journeyman in any trade should be able to make a solid living wherever he goes.
Good luck sprinks. To other tradesmen who should honor their pickets: do not be bitter, most of the other skilled trades (electricans, pipefitters, and carpenters) all got great contracts in the last two years. Support the cause. Always have a stash of cash for the next time a labor dispute erupts so it dosen't hurt so bad. Never let your company own you. We wouldn't have a thing without picketing. Alway be ready.

To all non unionized workers: Take note of the improved working conditions and wages union hands enjoy. There would be no need for socialized healthcare and sweating how to finance retirement if you quit working in fear and organized. Just a friendly tip. Consider joining or organizing in whatever respective profession you perform. Your wages should be in proportion to the money your employer makes.McDonalds kids can't make $30 an hour. Do the math.

Finally to everybody. Be safe. Be organized. Be prepared. Depend more on yourself. Be good Americans.
God Bless.

Once again, until educated on the entire situation, it would be hard to understand. I mean no offense to anyone and am certainly not trying to drive the cost of living higher than it already is. No matter what a fitter makes, these companys will still charge more and more and pocket the rest.
Believe me, I personally think teachers should make much more than they do, I would like to be a teacher one day myself. As far as supply and demand are concerned, life safety is, and always should be, in high demand in my opinion. Local 699 is not in the business of taking away from the poor or needy. Our local gives to charities on a monthly basis and is always in support of teachers, and the candidates who support them. We are a strong, but caring and empathetic union, and most of us have dedicated much of our time and energies towards bettering work conditions and pay for others as well. Once again, please do not misunderstand the momentum of our union as it is not as selfish as you may think.
Thank you.

If companies want to pay high wages to there employees that is their business(and good for the employees). Except in the case of Public Projects, where the public is dragged into it. I dont think people understand how much money people made working on the narrows bridge for example. Any laborer on the job made $33 an hour minimum, regardless of skill. This doesn't even take into account the skilled jobs like welding which were much higher. Many people would have done pure labor work for $18 or less. Now they are raising bridge tolls on a bridge that could have been built at least $200 million cheaper. If this doesnt sound good to you, you can start to change it by getting Gregoire out of office.
As far as non-public projects, unions acting this way are in danger of "killing the golden goose", their companies eventually will no longer be competetive in the "open" market.

"...caring and empathetic union..."? "...not as selfish as you may think..."? "...We wouldn't have a thing without picketing..."? PLEASE!!! How can you honestly say that? My jobsite was SHUT DOWN today because of your union, which means I won't get paid a full day's wage. Thank you "caring and empathetic" union. How in the world is that not selfish?

I give to charitable causes too, but that doesn't give me the right to demand anything from anyone with the same "you owe me" attitude the unions have.

Interfering with others trying to do their jobs just because you think you're getting a raw deal in your own life is wrong. I hope you get that precious contract you think you're so entitled to so I can get back to work.

If you want to stop work because you feel it's what you need to do to protect your rights, fine. Have at it. But don't impact my rights in the process.

Pretty damn good money for someone who just has to bring a lunch box,be able to measure thread and twist pipe together. This is exactly why things cost so much. The cost go up for consumers...Union wants more because cost went up..repeat the process.

Workingmom: your jobsite was not "shut down". There was a picketline. Union members decided not to cross or work until the dispute was settled. They do not like missing out on a days wages either. Nobody forced anything. Its a personal choice. I do not know what you do, but if you are in a union, and even if you aren't, the only reason you have a weekend is because somebody lost many days wages fighting for it. Non union workers benefit from union improvements too. If everybody made $8 hr and the union hands made much more, everybody would join. But even if you are not a union member, when the contracts are signed, conditions improve for all workers, so employers can stay competitive in atracting employees. Unless they really do not care about the quality of their employees, then it will be reflected in the quality of the product/service they are providing.

No one wants this strike to go on. We all lose money in the process. But, I agree that we are only asking for VARY FAIR wages. Do any of you people have any idea what a sprinkler fitter does? They work up in the air, where many of you will never see because it's covered by ceiling tiles, with their arms over their heads, and a HUGE piece of 6 or 8 inch (that's across) pipe on their shoulder or above their heads wrenching on a pipe wrench. THEY WORK STINKING HARD!! And they may not have college degrees, but my husband went to school for 5 years. He left at 4am and didn't come home until past 9pm! And it may be $14 over 4 years, not $14 an hour. It's distributed over the 4yrs. That doesn't all come on their checks. It goes to health and welfare, or to their pensions or other places. What's left over goes onto their checks. And, I am sorry about other people who are trying to make ends meet, but they WORKED their way up to where they are now. They chose their job, you can choose yours.
Many peoplke get paid vacation time. We do not. If we go on vacation the check doesn't still come. And, only those who work ALOT of over time, make over $100K. To quote wokingmom "Get off your a$$, take responsibility for your own life, be grateful you even have a job, grow up and quit whining about how rough you have it because life isn't handed to you on a silver". That's what we're doing! Got off our a$$e$, took life into our own hands and WORKED to buy the silver platter.
Proud Wife of a Local 699 striking member.

Beg to differ: All employees on the high rise were told to leave, whether union or not. If it were personal choice, my non-union team and I would have stayed. But when the GC says to "pack it up for the day," as a sub (who incidently must rely on the union tower crane operator), I don't really have much say in the matter.

As I said before, I think unions were necessary once upon a time. I have my weekends and Labor Day because of the dedication of the unionized workers of the 20's, 30's, & 40's. But I think their time has passed. Today's OSHA requirements and worker's comp benefits (perhaps even promulgated by the unions) protect everyone. That said, if you can tell me how conditions have improved for non-union companies in the past decade, I'll get off my soap box.

Anonymouswife, I agree with the need for highly skilled craftspersons to install life safety systems; I also believe in union shops doing this kind of work. However, please realize that ALL of the trades out there, while not directly or solely existing to protect lives, are doing increasingly difficult work that must also conform with ever-stricter building standards: structural changes to accomodate seismic concerns, fire alarm system changes to further failsafe their utilization, electrical changes to better protect people from electrical hazards, etc. These trades and others, in addition to sprinkler fitters, are all dealing with stricter standards of conformity which are implemented strictly for personnel safety.

As I said before, I will honor your picket, but I don't have to like it. Yes, we received a good wage package, but time away from work erases that for the time being. We, too, do not get paid holidays or vacations, just like you. I don't know if Local 699 has a strike fund for it's members, but if so they will be the only ones benefitting from this action; we just stay home, unpaid. Maybe instead of your members high-fiving and slapping each other on the back out there on the line, they could take a moment to say thanks to the rest of us for supporting their picket. It doesn't help us in any tangible way, but a little appreciation might keep attitudes from being shot all to hell; I'm not the only one feeling a little insulted out there.

To americancitizen, I would counter your suggestion of having a personal strike fund at the ready with the concrete reality of raising a family from one paycheck (I have a disabled son which precludes my wife from working a full-time job). Remember that you cannot just lay down a blanket ideal for everybody to follow; we're all living to different conditions off the job.

Let's just get this over with and get back to work.

My husband and the other members DO appreciate you NOT crossing that picket line.. Thank you for that. We also would do that for you and your Union in your time of need. B/c only by standing together can we stay strong! I firmly believe that.

It is not my fault that other companies do not provide for their employees w/competitive wages..I wish they would, b/c i think it shouldn't be just the bosses getting richer, we should all be compensated! By no means are we rich anyway as some have claimed here.

I am very sorry to all whose lives have been affected in an uncomfortable way. We did not ask for those jobs to be shut down and I do apologize for your loss of work. Also, thank you much for the support that you hesitantly give us, but do know if you were in the same situation we would walk with you, and support you although it would and has been uncomfortable for us. There is obviously nothing that could be said to change your mind, unfortunately I disagree with your opinion, but do wish for this to be over as shortly as possible as well, and can assure you that all of us would like to go back to work as soon as we are able.
Also, being involved in the negotiations process and knowing all the efforts that have been made, I know when a vote to deny a contract with a total of 219 votes against a total of 14 to accept.... the offer is unacceptable without a doubt.
Thanks again.. and sorry for your difficulties in supporting our stance.

If anyone thinks our jobs are easy you are nuts. All you have to do is go down to the new ikea warehouse go to the huge rack system that goes up 100 feet and look up there. there is sprinkler pipe in every other row. we had to climb up those racks to get that pipe in there to save peoples lives. so once you go there and look at that, then i would like you to tell me our jobs are easy.

paultuxx: Thank you for your respectful ability to "agree to disagree." I think we should do just that.

That said, I still have a difficult time believing that a vote of 219-14 to reject an increase of almost three times the standard cost of living per year is a bad deal.

I truly respect the history of the unions and the changes they have brought to the American workplace over the decades. However, I still firmly believe they have run their course.

Unless I'm blind, I don't see any improvements in non-union working conditions that the unions have made in the past ten years: People working on the 36th floor of a high-rise still aren't tied off properly, hard hats are still on backwards, the GC is still parked in a trailer three blocks away and not on the jobsite; folks still curse, come back from lunch with a beer buzz, still smoke while filling propane tanks, and men still make cat-calls at women, JUST LIKE THEY DID PRIOR TO UNIONIZING. Where was the union when the guy grabbed my a$$ in the crowded man-lift? Certainly not pimping the Man for better working conditions on my behalf.

Building codes have become stricter; safety is more of priority than it ever was before - Why? Not because of the UNIONS, because more injuries happen in the construction industry every day than in any other industry in the Nation. Jobsite workplaces ARE safer nowadays - Why? Not because of the UNIONS, because of the litigious society we live in. That's American construction today, and no union is going to protect us if the focus in their contract negotiations is only about the money and how much their members are getting screwed in their paychecks.

If unions really want to help the industry, start publicizing the alleged changes you're making in the workplace rather than harping about "fair wages". Us non-union folks just might take you seriously then.

Obviously you're not going to change my mind soon about the value of unions, and with your close involvement in the negotiations, it's unlikely I'm going to change yours. That's perfectly fine - Hopefully there are more people like me out there that aren't blinded by the almighty dollar and the negative propaganda pushed by the unions in working for "the Man."

So, paultuxx, best of luck for a successful contract outcome. I truly hope you're happy with the outcome.

anonymouswife and anonymouswife2: You're both whining - Thus proving my point about the "woe is me; it's not fair" attitude of a typical union worker (or spouse as the case may be). You're not "working to buy the silver platter," you're demanding it because you think you're entitled to it. And worst thing of all? You don't even have the guts to go after it yourself - You expect the union to do it for you. So sad.

"Nuff said.

I'm with local 1238 floor coverer's and i support 699 all the way, this morning when we couldn't work at the job site (tacoma mall) i didn't go home like, instead i picked up a picket sign and stood behind my bros, i lost a wholes days work but standing out there was as fulfilling as a hard days work, and agree or disagree you need to stick by your family through thick and thin. We need to be heard, so if there not going to listen then we're not going to preform.

working mom, you really need to read what you just wrote, because if you cant tell that you are just stereo-typing all union members with the basic construction workers then you really must be an ignoramus. I can tell that you wish you could be in a union and get great benefits, you sound very bitter, but i would be too if i was grilling burgers at mcdonalds or stalking shelves and wall-mart. How can you see up 36 floors to see if someones harness is on? and hard hats cant be worn backwards because one it would be very uncomfortable and they make hard hats that look like there being worn backwards but there not, thats just the way they look, and you being a scab, how are you around union workers enough to be able to smell "beer buzz" on there breath after lunch? and about the ass grabbing, if you look anything like what sound then you should be glad somebody's grabbing your ass. why don't you think before you open your mouth.

Lets just look at the facts, wages aside, because the numbers stated are incorrect. The contractors are attempting to flood our market with young apprentices so that in 10 years it forces middle-aged men out of work. Not to mention the fact that they're trying to separate us from our union brothers. The numbers don't include money that goes straight to health & welfare and the retiress; we don't see that money. As far as a college education goes, we went to school for 5 years, 10,000 hours of work before reaching Journeyman level, and additionally continue our education through classes and workshops at a local community college. Let's ask our local fire department if they would want to enter a building that has not been sprinkled. Fire Sprinklers Save Lives.

As far as the IKEA project is concerned, there are 26,000 sprinkler heads on that job. 19,000 of those sprinkler heads were installed in rain, sleet, snow, and wind including an additional 3,000 of which were installed while 100 feet off the ground & only 2 inches of steel to walk on. Keep in mind, no roof, no walls, racks only. Until you've had that near death experience, you should hold your judgemental comments and remember that we are risking our lives to save lives. This was only 1 of thousands of jobs in the Northwest.

forumboards4life: My apologies for stereo-typing all union members as rule-defying, money-hungry, cry-babies, as obviously not all of them are. The majority are fine people as well as workers - Especially those on the rooftop of the 301 Madison Avenue job in NYC that I spent 6 months of my life on (including weekends, Labor Day, and Christmas Day, despite your hard union work efforts ensuring I was granted such privileges) that was shut down by OSHA because workers were coming back on the jobsite from the mini-mart across the street with 12 oz cold ones not only on their breath, but in their hands (check out the article on the web). But unfortunately in my 19 years in high rise construction, what the hell do I know. I might have run across a few workers that I assumed to be union members - Maybe it was the "Union Proud" and "Local #-whatever" stickers on their hard hats (no not all of them have been backwards), that has led me to my well thought out "ignoramus" opinions. And as for my ass, forumf**boards4life, kiss it.

I would like to add that we appreciate all those who are supporting us. We understand it is a sacrifice; please know you can expect the same support in return.

Oh My Goodness. Workingmom- get off the computer and go play with your kids. Read 'em a book, make them dinner, just quite your snivelin.

I wasn't going to even bother commenting but decided to throw my 0.02 in anyways. Over the past 25 years of being a member of lOCAL 699 & the Seattle Building Trades I have missed several weeks of work due to both "informational pickets" & Seattle Building Trades "sanctioned" strikes such as ours currently happening. While at times it has been financially difficult for myself & my family, I have always honored whomevers pickets we're in place.

MIGHTYLUV- I don't know what trade your in but if you've ever had a wobble, informational picket, or strike...My union brothers & I HAVE supported you & will continue to in any future labor disputes. I too have a disabled son & am married with a part time working wife due to our sons disabilities. I feel your pain when it comes to missing time from work due to pickets & am VERY hopeful we can resolve this contract before the end of next week. Every one of us knows it's a hardship for everyone involved including you.
As far as my Local members not showing the appreciation of you supporting our strike, I find that hard to believe. While I can only speak for the picket line I was on today, I would be VERY disappointed in my union brothers & sisters if they weren't showing the gratitude that you & everyone else DESERVES for honoring our strike! To address your question in regards to a strike fund, yes..,.We have one but it pays very little. I do have one question though.....Did you know Local 86 Iron Workers contract is up & it's not looking too good?

ALL- One other thing for everyone interested. This isn't just about the wage increase over the next 4 years. It has to do with the language of the contract. Length, apprentice medical benefits, foreman pay scales, etc. It's NOT ALL about the $$$!
To ALL that think we make too much for what we do, I say lets trade jobs for a month & see. I often refer to myself as a human forklift! Up for the task? Lots of high work, lousy hours at times,(try bouncing between day & night shift back to back or losing a days wage to make the transition), constantly traveling to cover the 7 counties in Western Washington on my dime. Priced fuel lately? After 25 years in the Sprinkler trade I hurt all over & have many worn-out joints.
Make no mistake, I'm NOT whining just stating the facts & the fact of the matter is...Our wages are based on a 1700 hour year, NOT a 2000 hour year as most non construction jobs are. It's feast or famine in the construction industry.
As I stated earlier, hopefully we can get this resolved sooner rather than later & hope to have your support!

I am also in the trades ,and like mightyluv will honor your picket,agree with the importance and skill level of your craft, but will not empathize with you.A 35% raise over 4 years sounds like a fair offer to me.Get the language change and take the money please.I would also ask that you would give us a place to get more info on the subject. When we honor your line, have the decency to let us know it will be there so that all we lose is a days pay...not our commute times,$ for gas and parking and the morale of our workers.As mentioned before,while you stand in line and draw from your strike fund, we go home in support with nothing.
And to you workingmom I ask...Have you ever had a sick child?...I assume you have health benefits, or at least hope you do. Why do you think you receive those benefits?...do you really believe that they would continue if unions fragmented and went away? Do you believe all employers to be benevolent? The standard set for all trades unon or non union are directly related to the solidarity and hard work of the union reps and all the employees out in the trades.Yes we have the 5% we are ashamed of but I'm sure you do as well.

Oh and one more point.2 years from now ,when the feast is over and a % of these condos sit unoccupiedd. There's a pretty good chance the big $ will stop building high rises and we will be scrambling for small work again.Hve you ever had to give back wages?....It really sucks

Trulyconcerned- Thats what were working on as soon as our contractors meet with us. Language...As far as communication about pickets, it changes daily to cover as many jobs as possible & my only suggestion would be to drive past the job prior to parking. For the most part, we are there before most if any other workers are onsite. I suspect thats probably as good as we will be able to get due to being as fluid as possible in regards to placing pickets up on varioius different jobsites. Hopefully this thing gets put to bed sooner rather than later. Thanks for your support!

There are some very hateful comments that I have read here. I'm truly sorry for anyone who has suffered unnecessary abuses in the workplace. I also have suffered. Being the wife of an apprentice fitter, I went to a real doctor for the first time in over two years and received medication that was needed. I am eternally grateful. I don't live the great life, but it's somewhat better than it has been in the past. We still suffer month to month and when my husband occasionaly calls in the middle of the day to say hello there is a split second when I wonder if he's been dismembered and is calling me from an ambulance. My husband risks his life every day he goes to work. He risks his life to save thousands of others. I support him and his union brothers 100%. GO LOCAL 699!!!!!!!

Wages-
Yep! Can you say Market Recovery....Construction definately comes in cycles.

It always seems like the ones who are critical of unions are the ones who cannot get into one, or have some other financial benefit from breaking them. If you want to work at a company who does not pay close to what we make, or work under the conditions we do, then don't. Nobody will stop you. However. union members don't seem to want to quit and join you.

Workingmom: lets not make examples of the very few idiots we do have in the ranks. I could go on for days about stories concerning the antics of rat shops I have had to work around. Seems like there are many more drug problems with non union workers on account of less testing and more acceptance. Never seen guys show up on the job with coldies...obviously it was rare enough an instance to warrant media coverage. The reason your working conditions havn't improved it because you work for a subpar shop who dosen't care if you come or go. High end non union workers sometimes make great money. The employers pay them so they dont go union.

Be wise sprinks. We are behind you.

Market recovery, dot com bubble, ebb and flow. Some days you're the diner, other days you're the dinner.

WORKINGMOM SAID: anonymouswife and anonymouswife2: You're both whining - Thus proving my point about the "woe is me; it's not fair" attitude of a typical union worker (or spouse as the case may be). You're not "working to buy the silver platter," you're demanding it because you think you're entitled to it. And worst thing of all? You don't even have the guts to go after it yourself - You expect the union to do it for you. So sad.]]]

Wow! Okay whatever - I work thank you very much! Quite hard in a non-union industry just like you apparently. I also work my a** off all day at home taking care of this family of ours that i am VERY blessed to be able to feed and have. But make no mistake, we struggle just like anyone else does and these wages we are asking for are more then fair and we will agree to disagree on that. My husband having this job is a blessing to us VERY much so. Were very thankful for what we have. And the hope is there will be talks soon. I firmly believe there will be. You sound bitter. Sorry.

There's not much left to say - except thanks to the brothers' and sisters' and fellow wifes' supporting us!! We will definitely do the same for you!! :)

Thanks for everyone's comments!! Excellent support and feedback..

Anonymous wife

my job was also picketed today. while I support the the guys on the line 100% a little advanced notice would have been appreciated. next time at least wait until the labor counsel votes on it then set up your pickets. just my .02

I am the wife of Sprinklerfitter699 and would like to thank everyone who supports our attempt at a better life. We do appreciate and respect each and every one of you.

Being the wife, sister, daughter and grandaughter of union members who fought before us for the right to organize and strike for better wages and working condition I am eternally greatful.

Workingmom I just wanted to say that I am sorry for what you have been through. I do not personally know a sprinkler fitter that would drink while working as it is unsafe for themselves and others or harrass anyone. With that being said the Local has grown and we do not know everyone anymore and I'm sure just like the general public there are all kinds of men and women in our organization. Just please know this behavior is not typical of all union workers and most would be as concerned as we are about that part of your working conditions.

As far as union workers fighting to make non union working conditions better we can not strike on your behalf that needs to be done by all of you. We do however set the bar high for you.

The strike as my husband said is not about the money for the majority of us and yes we believe $14 over 4 is an incredible increase. However in the midst of that is the laungage he talks about that will cause concern for our retiree's, apprentices, foreman and actually all the working members. Just all of you know this is not taken lightly on our parts at all and we go out on strike with heavy hearts knowing that it will be a hardship for many. We are just looking out for the stability of the organization as a whole and making sure that the members now have as much job stability as possible in the construction field. We do take care of our retiree's as they have paved the way for us. We also do want to take care of our younger members as they deserve the same benefits to take care of their families as we have. So as you can see this is more complicated than most know so please be patient and know that when and if you need our support we will be there without question or need for an explanation. We will support you even if you do not support us that is what brothers and sisters do for their fellow union members.

Stay strong Sprinkler Fitters of Local 699 I am proud that you have made a stand for all of your members not just yourselves.

United we stand Divided we fall.

And your right it's about more then the wages, most definitely!! Were in total agreement on that.

LOCAL 699!!!

I have read and reread all these comments just to clarify to myself the level of support and/or ignorance dealing with these matters. First of all, I would truly like to thank all of you shutting down and supporting your brothers and sisters. We couldn't do it without you. Secondly, we don't want to be on strike. Most of us can't afford it and our strike fund is less than one fourth of a sprinks hourly wage. We want this over asap. We also want our due compensation. Lastly, I would like to say that my husband and I grew up poor, like went without dinner poor. We didn't have new school clothes and most of the time our families didn't even own cars. We've come a long way and lived a clean life. I just want to let all those haters out there that I CAN"T WAIT to give my two beautiful children all the things that I didn't have growing up! Health insurance, new shoes, new bikes, organized sports, sack lunches, a safe ride to and from the mall, cable T.V., college possibilities, prom, birthday parties, snowboarding, safe neighborhoods, good schools, weekend BBQs, vacations, camping..... so for all of you out there who seem to think this may be greedy, go sit on a pipe. GO LOCAL 699!!!!!!!

Why dont all of you pu$$ie$ who are against Unions and unionworkers demonstrations come out to one of our picketing sites and run your negative foghorns!!! See what happens then... You're smart to anonomously talk your smack!!! Go back to your sissy lifes and let the big dogs take of the real business!!!

Wow, the wage issue is really pressing buttons for the non-union low-paid workers here.
Here's a thought.. get union organized! That way you too can get paid what your worth.
PLUS, when you find yourself dealing with unfair employer practices or conditions, you'd have someone to support you - how about hundreds of people to support you. It's called a union.

pipework: If these non-union workers unionize and the products/services they provide become more expensive, will you go on strike to demand more pay to compensate for the union-induced price inflation? :-)

Currently we are working on adding strike info to the web. The hall can also be called directly & info will be provided. (206) 441-0737 www.ualocal699.org

At the moment the website is down but I would expect it to be updated by Monday AM. Thanks again to ALL OF YOU that have been supporting us!

Thank you brothers & sisters at St. Anthony in Gig Harbor! The support was UNBELIEVABLE! As a fairly new member of Local 699, I wasn't expecting much support when we started to picket. When I saw how many of you showed support and encouragement, I was blown away. No one crossed to work. We won't forget the support you gave us, we will be there for you too! Once again, THANK YOU for you honoring our line and giving me a taste of Union Pride! Amazing!

norman77 - I DON"T shop Walmart for that very reason. And yes, I'd rather pay $12 than $2 for something, if I know it supports union families in the USA.

It's about time that the local's website gave out information, considering that the negotiations have been ongoing for a month (per the newspaper).

Alot of talk is based on wages. Can we please get the contract terms up on the web with footnotes explaining the problem with language?

For me, the WAGE was not the reason I didn't want to take the offer.

I did't like the increased # of apprentices, other language regarding the distrubution of the package increase, and the 4-year contract term - which puts us a year out from the plumbers contract.

Can't deny that some of the heat came on-the-heels of the plumbers contract.
More came from what I heard to be, the companies not even taking a look at the offer the union presented.