Feeling Of ‘Family’ Holds Strikers Together

In the beginning, there appeared to be little emotion attached as the striking Kaiser workers took their places along the corners and curbs of our well-traveled Valley roads.

Late fall days with earlier onsets of darkness seemed to sometimes blacken their appearance at the side of the road.

When traffic lights changed, the shadowy shapes would seem to change, too. Then it was easy to see the stern faces, and waving arms and signs.

As the weeks went by, a steady traveler could even begin to look for and recognize a few faces.

They seemed to routinely take their shift as if still reporting for hourly work, but now without the badly missed wages.

Weeks passed by and then appeared a burning barrel that took its stand along with the workers.

An ample supply of firewood kept it glowing.

On late afternoons, when the workers had taken leave or were changing shifts on the picket line, the burning barrel remained alone with just the red glow of the coals showing through the worn areas around its base.

Warm air and a light smoke rising freely where once icy hands were held, and rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes lit by the firelight had been.

Along with the shorter days came the seriousness of winter. Still the workers took their places on the line.

Soon, snow covered the ground and hard winds chilled the bones.

Makeshift tables and a lean-to appeared.

It was too cold now to stand and hold that coffee cup or grab a bit of doughnut.

At last a little protection from the too frequent December winds.

A tub burner now stood in the middle of the lean-to.

At times, the sign-wavers would all huddle inside seeking warmth of the shelter and their own numbers.

The many bearded faces couldn’t help but make me remember a similarly shaped building from the Christmastime readings of my childhood.

In and around that building also stood bearded men, dressed in layers of clothing, who had come together for a purpose.

The strike has lasted more than 100 days.

The workers appear strong in their voice of determination.

Occasionally you can see a few of them wandering to the new McDonald’s nearby.

A few unmanned picket signs stuck in the ground along with another that reads about support being given to the cause.

I wonder how many other motorists think as I do when I drive by in my warm car, knowing that my job is there for me and that a paycheck will be waiting at the completion of my contracted time. I hope that the day never comes when I will have to take such a stance in order to have working conditions that are safe and secure.

A wave, a smile or a honk of the horn seems to be all that they are asking.

Community donations of money, time, haircuts, etc., have lent some to help relieve the stress of this situation.

No one seems to know just when it may come to an end. Most thought that an agreement would have come by now. When the end does come, how many will still be standing?

Waiting and holding on for some resemblance to what at one time seemed such a normal, routine way to make a living.

The timely touch of snowfall on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day seemed to help add a special little touch to the feeling of the season. Paychecks are not needed to make a snowman, build a fort, lie in the snow and make an angel.

Sometimes making it through a crisis together as a family can be the greatest gift.

Holding families together and giving the children of these families the feeling of security and peace should be among our daily thoughts and prayers.