KANSAS CITY, Mo — Throughout International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 778’s over 30-day worker strike, which spanned from April 4 to May 7, the Local received financial support from community partners including social services organization, Working Families’ Friend (WFF).
IAM Local 778 workers took to the picket line at 12 a.m. on April 4, IAM Local 778 Directing Business Representative Scott Brown shared, to fight for improved wages, better working conditions and excessive overtime relief for its members. This strike concluded on May 7 with a collective bargaining agreement, which was accepted among IAM Local 778 and Olin Corporation’s Winchester Division — a global producer and supplier of chemical productions and ammunition, according to its website.
In the over month-long strike period, many workers went without, or with limited, financial compensation from IAM — one of the key components members were on picket lines for. However, it was the assistance from organizations such as WFF, which Brown shared helped to make the financial process painless.
“The first face I saw was Duke [Dujakovich]; he already had a check in hand for donation,” Brown said in an interview. “Right away we had the labor community’s support.”
In addition to the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO — and what Brown believes as every Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council-affiliated union — WFF helped to financially assist 14 IAM Local 778 workers. While the organization was unable to offer funds to members directly, WFF reached out to the Local to provide funding through the business manager, which was then passed down to the individual workers.
“When we found out about the strike, I got in contact with Scott [Brown] to let him know we are here for their members,” WFF President Niki Montgomery said in an interview. “We knew they were receiving strike pay but were not sure when it would kick in, and that it could be less than they were expecting. When you’re on strike pay, it’s not enough to cover an emergency or any unexpected bill; the smallest thing can tip the balance.”
In the strike’s early stages, Montgomery shared she, along with WFF Vice President Chris Jenkins and Dujakovich, went to visit picketers, which is when concerns surrounding workers’ financial support began.
After speaking out during a Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO meeting inquiring about individuals offering financial donations to assist IAM Local 778 members, people began providing contributions through a website funding page. By the end of the strike, Montgomery shared, WFF helped to raise over $1,000 in individual donations for IAM Local 778 members.
“A lot of folks out there, it’s their first union job — they’ve never been on strike,” Brown said in an interview. “For them to see all the different organizations coming together and reaching out to help them, we heard a lot of thank yous.”
“We just wanted to pass the hat; there were six unions we worked with (including IBEW Local 53),” Montgomery said in an interview. “Our golf tournament fundraiser was sold out, so they wouldn’t be able to have a team, but they wanted us to keep the funds to help IAM and increase its emergency assistance.”
And in turn, the IAM Local 778 members who WFF was able to support — including one individual who called to speak with Montgomery directly — were not only grateful for the assistance but additionally wanted to pay it forward and become a WFF donor themselves.
“It’s really heartwarming; everyone needs a hand at some point,” Montgomery said in an interview. “When they get settled and are able to pay it forward to someone who’s in a similar situation — it’s heartwarming.”
“For me, it’s a huge thanks to the labor community and every organization that reached out,” Brown said in an interview. “I wasn’t able to keep track of everyone; sending thank yous out to everyone is really hard — it was appreciated.”
Julia Williams — a Kansas City native — is a reporter and digital producer for The Labor Beacon. A University of Missouri School of Journalism alumna, she previously served as the editor-in-chief of The Northeast News before joining The Labor Beacon staff.
Williams’s grandfather was a Claycomo Ford Motor Company retiree and avid UAW Local 249 supporter, allowing her to understand the union difference from a young age.
In her free time, Williams enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to see her friends and hanging out at home with her cat, Greta. She loves a good cup of coffee, seeing local, live music and shopping secondhand. With a passion for storytelling, she hopes to bring her knowledge of journalistic integrity to the Kansas City union community — giving union and labor workers a voice, while holding people in powerful positions accountable.
