As strike drags on, support Weyerhaeuser workers

Weyerhaeuser isn’t budging; show your solidarity with striking Woodworkers

UPDATED with GoFundMe page for striking Weyerhaeuser workers and their families.

LONGVIEW, Wash. (Sept. 23, 2022) — More than 1,100 Weyerhaeuser employees represented by IAMAW District W24 have been on strike since Sept. 13 after the nation’s largest forest products company, which is experiencing record profits, demanded benefit cuts and offered low wage increases. And it appears the company is in no hurry to improve its offer and intends to try to starve their employees out.

Company and union negotiators met Thursday for only the second time since the strike began, and the union bargaining team reports that Weyerhaeuser refused to improve upon the offer overwhelmingly voted down by IAMAW members on Sept. 2. That offer, from a company that reported its “2021 financial performance was the strongest on record,” was rejected because general wage increases were too low, vacation time was cut, employees were asked to pay for healthcare premiums for the first time since the 1990s, and retirement benefits weren’t improved.

After Thursday’s session, District W24 President Brandon Bryant reported:

The IAMAW District W24 bargaining team, representing over 1,100 workers currently on strike, met with Weyerhaeuser today to continue bargaining. We are incredibly disappointed that Weyerhaeuser was unwilling to provide a different offer to our members, than the one our members have already overwhelmingly rejected. There seems to continue to be delays, ineffectiveness, and lack of urgency from this multi-billion-dollar company. The company’s next availability is next Friday (Sept. 30), and we hope that Weyerhaeuser will do the right thing. Until then, our members will continue to be on strike, continue to stand up for themselves, continue the fight against corporate greed, and continue to not settle for less.

TAKE A STAND — It’s time for Washington’s labor movement to step up and show Weyerhaeuser that the community has these workers’ backs. Here’s how you — and your union — can show solidarity with the IAMAW strikers:

1) Contribute to this GoFundMe fundraiser to support families of striking Weyerhaeuser workers who are experiencing hardship.

2) Please sign this petition to tell Weyerhaeuser: Timber workers and their families deserve living wages, good health care, and a secure retirement!

3) Join picket lines at Weyerhaeuser facilities and donating food/supplies at the these locations. The union says “community support (on the strike lines) has been amazing” and “each location would appreciate you stopping by; hold a sign, talk with us, bring a treat or two, anything to show your support.”

“Our District W24 members are fighting for proper respect from Weyerhaeuser,” said IAMAW General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “Our members work hard every single day to make sure that Weyerhaeuser succeeds and unfortunately their contract offer has failed to recognize their contribution to that success. We call on Weyerhaeuser to fairly recognize our members’ contribution to their record-breaking profits. We stand in full solidarity with our membership and will continue to provide all resources necessary to obtain a strong contract.”