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By Doug Cunningham

The International Association of Machinists strike at Bombardier Aerospace in Wichita is an effort by the union to draw the line over concessions. The workers have endured three years of concessions including wage freezes. The company offered a wage increase this time around, but it was so small that it didn’t even meet the cost of increased health insurance costs. Union leadership recommended the contract be accepted. But the workers rejected it and the strike is now in its second week. Striking workers say it’s not just wages at issue. They are sick of working weekends with no contract protection for days off and they want to reverse the trend of givebacks when new contracts are negotiated.