Small Strike, Big Victory

This Wednesday, the eight barbers at Buckley Air Force Base voted to ratify a new, five-year contract, ending their month-long strike. The barbers succeeded in pushing back on the company’s demand for a 5% reduction in their pay.

Jobs with Justice joined UFCW Local 7, the barbers' union, on the picket line in solidarity. Both the barbers and Local 7 agreed that the lesson from this strike was: Solidarity works.

“Solidarity Works”

Business at Buckley Air Force Base was down substantially. Many soldiers showed their support by going off base for their haircuts. A continuous stream of supporters bolstered the spirit of the strikers by dropping off food, bottled water, and money.

• Hundreds of Air Force retirees and their families signed customer support cards to show their support.
• Colorado Jobs with Justice organized support rallies for the Barbers on and off the picket line.
• Several Unions, the leadership of Colorado AFL-CIO, and the Denver Area Labor Federation joined the picket line.
• The Barbers were joined by City, State, and Federal elected officials.
• Clergy from the Inter-Faith Workers Justice organization, including former Air Force Chaplin Rabbi Schwartzman, personally called the owner of Gino Morena Enterprises urging a settlement based on fairness and justice.
• The strike generated, at times, nationwide media coverage.

Barber Diana Collier said, “I had no idea what to expect; I was scared but I never imagined the support and backing we would get from Local 7.” She added, “Now I know what solidarity is all about and what it means to be Union.”

A statement by President Cordova said, “This is a victory for eight courageous women who were willing to put their jobs on the line for what they believe in.” Cordova added, “This was a small strike, but a big victory - it shows that solidarity works.”

Thanks to all the Jobs with Justice activists who joined us on the picket line or at the confronting corporate power rally where we heard these workers' story. We've proven again that our Be There Pledge works -- when we stand up for others' struggles as well as our own, we all start winning. So congratulations to the barbers at Buckley Air Force Base, and we'll see you in the streets for the next fight!