I would consider healthcare a major national issue worth striking for. Though alot of the other issues are just not significant enough to justify a strike in my opinion
Would that include (retiree's healthcare) is that worth striking over. How about the elimination of full-time opportunities for the part time workforce, Mickey Mouse not really, no harm done suspensions or terminations (harassment), the split General Wage Increases (it is not a 1.00 hourly increase but works out to be a 75 cent one.
It is one big package, the l997 strike was driven to help the failing Teamster's pension trusts and to create more full time positions inside or out (monetary contributions). That was the internationals reasoning, why it worked was that the members held together fueled by all the company's arrogance with the (Last, Best,Final Offer).
Seriously this is a battle for respect. That is what I have been hearing on the rumor mill from the negotiators.
Grant your point nobody wants a strike, 2 or 3 weeks out without a full paycheck sucks. The strike option is the ONLY tool that the Union has, I flashback to a line in "Alien 2" where one of the marines was told not to carry life ammunition his come back was classic.
