Member-only story
Striking in My Sixties
Not to be confused with protesting in the 1960’s, my union is striking for job, retirement and wage security. This is my first time on the picket line.
Life is an adventure. Most of my adult years were spent raising four children, only to have my marriage fall apart after 30 years. I went to tech school and landed a job at an aviation manufacturer as a “mature” employee.
My life has had many twists and turns, ups and downs.
By this stage of the game, I bet yours has, too.
As a union employee, we have recently gone on strike, something I had never before experienced.
Strike: What Does This Mean?
Striking employees do not get paid. We also no longer have health insurance. Striking workers in New York and New Jersey can draw unemployment benefits, but that is not true in every state.
Our union has scheduled us in 4-hour shifts, so the picket line is manned 24 hours, seven days a week.
We are not alone. Other union representatives have joined and marched with us. The news media interview members. The police stand on either side of the line directing traffic.
