The Machinists Union asked all strikers at Hawker Beechcraft to show up today at 4:30am to have a special “Hands Across Hawker” demonstration. In previous days, a court order limited 30 strikers per gate in an attempt to improve safety at the Hawker entrances. For “Hands Across Hawker,” many strikers had to walk across Greenwich road - which is a very busy 5-lane street - to join the rally. Not only did strikers jaywalk across a busy street to join the rally, but they had to do it before the sun came up. As the strikers arrived, anyone driving down Greenwich had their attention naturally drawn to the strikers at Hawker’s entraces, thus removing their attention to anyone walking in the street.

One striker was struck by a vehicle driving on Greenwich and killed as he crossed the busy street to join his fellow strikers.

In my opinion, Union leaders at Local 733 and District 70 should resign for their inability to comprehend or provide rudimentary safety for their members. Their narrow vision resulted in a highly preventable death.

Categories: Miscellaneous