10/01/2026
THIS IS UNION SOLIDARITY
Today, September 30, 2026, our new members at Smithtown KIA unanimously ratified their first collective bargaining agreement!
In early June 2026, the boss refused to recognize our brothers’ union and, as many employers do, hired union-busters. Local 259 responded the way we know best: organize, organize, organize.
For the next six weeks, through July 11, our brothers endured a typical anti-union campaign. But on July 13, they decisively defeated the boss and the union-buster in a National Labor Relations Board election and won their UNION.
After that decisive loss, the boss bugged out and tried to delay bargaining.
When repeated efforts to secure timely bargaining dates failed, the men took direct action. On August 28, the entire bargaining unit called out sick. The boss went into a tailspin and quickly agreed to meet.
In a single bargaining session lasting just over five hours on September 11, the parties reached a tentative first CBA. The agreement eliminates costly healthcare cost-sharing and deductibles; adds additional weeks of vacation, an additional sick day, and personal days; and establishes a comprehensive classification and prevailing-wage formula with production incentive dollars. Most importantly, the CBA gives the men something beyond the written terms: recognition of their value and respect for their skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Our members achieved—and exceeded—every goal. That happens only when membership solidarity is absolute. Each member stood up for the others, and the result was a tremendous victory, congratulations!
Welcome to Local 259!
