Introduction

    We expect to have successful contract negotiations with the Weyerhaeuser Company and aim to negotiate a contract that reflects what our members have earned and deserve. We don’t take going on strike lightly; however, we’re willing to do so if our members vote that way. Our communications plan for this negotiation will increase participation from all levels of our membership, but your help is vital to the success of these negotiations. Your support and solidarity throughout this process will determine our strength at the bargaining table. We will be
successful because of your due diligence in providing supporting your Negotiation Committee and seeking out correct information and not spreading rumors. As we approach the final contract vote, communication with our membership is key; therefore, we will call on everyone to step up, review the correct information, and help us build “A Stronger Future, Together” and a successful contract victory.

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Question Index
General Questions and Answers on the 2024 Negotiations
Q: How will the IAM approach this year’s negotiations?
Q: When will negotiations be formally opened?
Q: What length of contract are we going to propose?
Q: What are some of the top issues from the Union leadership’s perspective?
Q: Does the Union want a strike?
Q: What is our Union’s history of striking?
Q: When could a strike occur if our members reject the contract and two-thirds present vote to
strike?  
Q: What informational resources are available to me?
Q: How can I help in the negotiation process?

Strike Sanction Meeting
Q: When is the Strike Sanction meeting?
Q: What is the purpose of a strike sanction vote?

Contract Vote
Q: What about the final contract vote?
Q: How and where do I vote on the contract offer?
Q: How does the contract vote work?
Q: Why does it take a two-thirds reaffirmation vote to call a strike?
Q: What responsibilities does the Negotiating Committee have once receiving the Last, Best and
Final offer?
Q: Does the Union Staff get paid if we go out on strike? If so, why is that?  
Q: If we go out on strike, what benefits will be available to me if I am in school on Joint
Programs funding?  
Q: What if I physically can't do picket duty if we go out on strike?  
Q: Why do we have rallies during negotiations?
Q: How much time will I have to review the Company’s final offer before getting to vote on it?
Q: How will the Union keep me updated on the status of negotiations?

Miscellaneous
Q: How will a new CEO affect contract talks?
Q: When will the survey results be out?
Q: How much is strike pay? (UPDATED)
Q: What should I say to support the Union’s efforts in negotiations when I am asked by
management to give them my input on negotiations?

Q:  What do I do if a member or co-worker doesn’t want to participate in the negotiation-related
activities?
Q: What benefits are available to our members during strike time?
Q: What are the important dates to know?
Q: When do we have to return to work? 
Q: How does strike pay work? 
Q: Is strike pay taxable? 
Q: How am I going to pay my bills? How can I make money?
Q: Can I take another job? 
Q: What if there is a protest during the strike? 
Q: Can the company send in professional scabs / strike breakers? 
Q: What are union-busting tactics? 
Q: Where can I get the most updated info? 
​
                          

General Questions and Answers on the 2024 Negotiations

Q: How will the IAM approach this year’s negotiations?
A: We are approaching this year’s negotiations as we do all negotiations: very seriously. These
are our members’ livelihoods, and we expect the Company to negotiate fairly and equitably.
Q: When will negotiations be formally opened?
A: The Weyerhaeuser IAM Collective Bargaining Agreements say we have to formally notify
the Company of our intent to bargain over changes to the CBA, no less than 60 days prior to the

expiration. The District is doing that on behalf of our Locals, and those opening letters were
mailed to Weyerhaeuser in January 2026.
Q: What length of contract are we going to propose?
A: Traditionally, we have accepted a four-year agreement, but that will depend on the financial
aspects of the agreement.
Q: What are some of the top issues?
A: Given the feedback from the membership, GWI and Wage Issues, Healthcare, Retirement,
More Time Off, and other items are just some of the many issues members have identified as
priorities. We are proposing language that represents the priorities our members have set. It is
vital that we do not let the Company divide our members. We all need to support each other’s
issues to be successful.​
Q: Does the Union want a strike?
A: It is our goal to reach an agreement that improves the standard of living and the priorities set
by our members. We aim to reach an agreement that we can recommend and that our members
can accept and ratify without a strike. However, it is very important that we are prepared to strike
if necessary. Our members will make that decision when voting on the Company’s Last, Best and
Final offer on prior to the June 1, 2026 expiration.  
Q: What is our Union’s history of striking?
A: A strike only occurs when companies don’t do the right thing for the employees (our
members). Our Weyerhaeuser Member went on strike for the first time since 1986, last contract
bargain, in 2022, and held a . Strikes, or the threat of a strike, are sometimes the only way to get
the attention of a company that the workers are serious. Do we want a strike? Never. Will we
recommend a strike if we are faced with a substandard contract? Yes, but ultimately the decision

falls on our membership. We are only as strong at the bargaining table as our members’ resolve
is on the shop floor. 
Q: When could a strike occur if our members reject the contract and two-thirds present
vote to strike?  
A: A strike could be called as soon as 12:01 am on June 1, 2026 - the current contract expiration
date is midnight June 1, 2026.
Q: What informational resources are available to me?
A: Our Union Stewards and Negotiation Committee Members will be available to answer any
negotiations-related questions you may have. If not, they will try to get you an answer in a timely
fashion. There is our contract specific website at www.iam-weyco2026.com , local lodge
meetings, text and email blasts and various other ways for you to obtain information about
negotiations.
Q: How can I help in the negotiation process?
A: Every member has an obligation to seek information. Find important information from the
source: flyers, local lodge meetings, and the website www.iam-weyco2026.com are just a few
options. Participate in shop floor discussions, rallies, surveys, and other events to show
solidarity. Wear the appropriate items at the designated times to unite with your Union brothers
and sisters. Talk strong about the issues on the shop floor because solidarity works. 
​

Strike Sanction Meeting

Q: When is the Strike Authorization Vote?
A: We are planning on one day in April 2026 to ask all members to turn out to vote for the 2026
IAM-Weyerhaeuser Strike Authorization vote. This is an important procedural step and solidarity

action to ensure that our members are supporting their Negotiation Committees AND are willing
to approve the appropriate actions necessary to get the best result out of this bargain. The date
will be announced, and this will be updated as soon as possible.
​
Q: What is the purpose of a Strike Authorization Vote?
A: Our IAM Constitution requires that members vote well in advance of the Last, Best and Final
offer on whether to sanction a strike. An approved strike sanction vote makes strike funds
available for the bargaining unit if they later choose to strike at the expiration of the agreement.
A successful strike sanction vote is a simple majority approving the question, 50% plus one vote
of those present and voting. However, the ability to take the members out on strike requires a 2/3
majority to reaffirm a strike after rejecting the contract.
​​

Contract Vote

Q: What about the final contract vote?
A: We expect and have notified Weyerhaeuser that we expect to achieve a Best, Last, and Final
proposal or agreement prior to May 31 st , 2026. You will be voting on whether or not to accept or
reject the final contract offer submitted by the Boeing Company. Summaries of the Last, Best,
and Final offer proposal will be available at Local Offices and on the website for you to review.
You will have time to review the offer prior to voting, and the date of the vote will be updated as
soon as possible.
Q: How and where do I vote on the contract offer?
A:  The vote will be held prior to May 31 st , 2026, with the specific date and locations TBD. This
will be communicated ahead of time through Shop Stewards, Local Lodge Meetings, Union
Boards, and our website – www.iam-weyco2026.com

Q: How does the contract vote work?
A: It is a two-part ballot. The first part is to accept or reject the contract offer. The second part is
a yes or no to reaffirm the strike sanction from the April 2026 Strike Sanction Vote. If a majority
votes to accept the contract, negotiations end, and the contract goes into effect. If more than 50%
vote to reject the proposed contract, but less than two-thirds of those voting, vote to reaffirm
strike sanction, the contract offer is accepted by default. The only way the negotiating committee
can call a strike is to have a majority reject the proposal AND have two-thirds reaffirm the
strike sanction.  
Q: Why does it take a two-thirds reaffirmation vote to call a strike?
A: Anytime you go into a possible strike situation, you want to be sure that a 2/3 majority of
your membership support calling a strike. Going on strike with less than 2/3 results in a possible
weak picket line. This is why the IAM Constitution requires a 2/3 majority to call a strike. If the
majority of the membership - 50% + 1 - was all that was required to call a strike, our chances of
winning a good contract through a strike decrease dramatically.
The bottom line is: Calling a strike is serious business. The Negotiating Committee and our
Membership need to be sure that 2/3 of the membership supports withholding their labor
to walk the line.  
Q: What responsibilities does the Negotiating Committee have once it receives the Last,
Best and Final offer?
A: We must review the proposal, make a synopsis of what was changed, and make it available to
the membership. We will get it out as quickly as we can.
Q: Does the Union Staff get paid if we go out on strike? If so, why is that?  
A: Yes - the Union Staff salaries continue during a work stoppage since their work does not stop
during a strike. Maintaining a strong position and providing essential needs to maintain a strong

Union front must be undertaken while negotiating another contract that is acceptable to our
members. Keep in mind no Union dues are collected during a strike. Also, District W24 Staff
represent other members at companies throughout the state of Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, and California, so the work of the District must continue.
Q: What if I physically can't do picket duty if we go out on strike?  
A: There are many responsibilities during a strike – there’s a job for everyone.

Q: Should we hold rallies and demonstrations during negotiations?
A:  It is very important that our membership demonstrate their support to the negotiating
committees and the issues that are important to all of us.
Q: How much time will I have to review the Company’s final offer before getting to vote on
it?
A: The Company does not have to provide a copy of the offer to us until the current contract
expires. We attempt to get a Last, Best and Final offer prior to our current contract expiration
date, which is May 31 st , 2026. And the Negotiation Committee will provide enough time for
members to review and vote on this proposal, but we are faced with a deadline of May 31 st , 2026.
This is new for our Weyerhaeuser contracts, as the last few negotiations have been extended
beyond the expiration date. Our plan, and we have put Weyerhaeuser on notice of this; it is not
our intention to extend this negotiation beyond May 31 st , 2026, without an agreement to vote on.
Any extension of negotiations beyond the Contract expiration will have to be approved by our
Membership.
Q: How will the Union keep me updated on the status of negotiations?
A: We will provide regular updates throughout the year using our website at www.iam-
weyco.com, texts, face-to-face shop floor meetings, local lodge meetings, and through our Union

Stewards. Members need to sign up to be placed on our home email or text list. We cannot send
updates to your Weyerhaeuser email, but the Company can and will. It is important that our
membership recognizes that Weyerhaeuser emails do not reflect the Union’s position. 
​

Miscellaneous

Q: When will the survey results be out?
A: We don’t normally publish the survey results as this could give the Company an unfair
advantage. We will provide as much information as possible to our membership and have done
so through our Union meetings. Your Negotiating Committee is using the survey results, other
input from our membership, and our Negotiation Committee training meetings to develop
proposals that reflect the needs of our members.
Q: What about strike pay?
A: The amount of strike pay is determined every four years at the IAM Grand Lodge
Convention. The Union sent delegates to the Convention to speak on behalf of their respective
Local Lodge. We were successful in getting the strike pay increased to its current amount of
$200 per week. Your Local may also have it’s own Strike Fund to help offset the loss of wages in
the event of a strike. Please check with your Local Leadership.
Q: How much is strike pay?
A: $200 per week will be earned (IAM Grand Lodge Strike pay) beginning on the 3rd week of a
work stoppage (strike) and plus any strike pay from your Local, if available. This was an
increase from the previous amount at the last IAM Grand Lodge Convention, held in 2022.
Members will see this International pay submitted to their strike cards as soon as possible
in the event of a strike, as we have to allow for the whole 3rd week of strike to be completed
and processed.

Q: What should I say to support the Union’s efforts in negotiations when I am asked by
management to give them my input on negotiations?
A: You can help support your co-workers (your Union) throughout negotiations by sending a
strong, unified message to Company management about better retirement, lower healthcare costs,
job security, and issues important to all of us. This may also be an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP)
which you need to document and get to the Union right away.
Q:  What do I do if a member or co-worker doesn’t want to participate in the negotiation-
related activities?
A: Explain to them the importance of solidarity. It will take all of us, working together and
standing shoulder to shoulder. No one does this alone. This is their contract and their livelihood,
and to do nothing may result in the same or less. Nothing is guaranteed in negotiations and
unless the membership stands together, we cannot expect the Company to do the right thing.
Generations of workers in the past fought hard to get us where we are today, it’s time to step up
and do our part for the future of workers at Weyerhaeuser and throughout the Washington and
Oregon. Our members set the bar for all workers across this country and throughout the industry.
We can make A Stonger Future, Together! And we are fighting for everyone!
Q: What benefits are available to our members during strike time?
A: Do to your Union actively supporting and lobbying our State Legislatures this past year, both
Washington and Oregon now have Unemployment Insurance benefits available for workers that
are out of work, due to a Strike. There are differences in how each State operates this, but it is
very similar to filing for Unemployment insurance when you are out of work (due to layoff, or
lack of work). More information will come, but look at these websites to get a better
understanding:
Washington - https://esd.wa.gov/get-financial-help/unemployment-benefits/basic-eligibility-
requirements/strikes-lockouts-and-labor-disputes
Oregon - https://unemployment.oregon.gov/strikes

Q: What are the important dates to know?

A: - Contract Expiration – 11:59pm on May 31, 2026
- Strike Authorization Vote – April 2026 (date and location TBD)
- First Scheduled Negotiations
o March 4 th – Cottage Grove Lumber
o March 9 th – Longview Lumber
o March 17 th – Raymond Lumber
o March 30 th – Santiam Lumber
- Woods – Yards – Trucking – Tentatively in April 2026
- Big Table Negotiations (wages, healthcare, retirement, vacation, etc) May 2026
Q: If we go on strike, when do we have to return to work? 
A: Your bargaining committee will negotiate a return-to-work agreement with the Weyerhaeuser.
The agreement will try to have members return to work as fast as possible.
Q: How does strike pay work? 
A: Local Strike pay is controlled by the Bylaws of those Locals that have a strike benefit.
International Rules, see below:
1. No benefits will be paid unless the strike lasts for more than two weeks. Thereafter, benefits
start with the beginning of the third week.
2. Striking members who are not entitled to benefits because they lack three months’
membership will become eligible as soon as they have been in good standing for three months.
(The financial officer should submit the names of such members to the GST as they become
eligible, with an explanation and request for strike benefits.)
3. Members on strike must sign the strike record semiweekly (i.e. twice each week).
4. No benefits will be paid to members who refuse to provide assistance in connection with the
strike.
5. Any arrearages owed by members claiming strike benefits will be deducted from such
benefits.
6. Members participating in a sanctioned strike are entitled to receive free strike stamps while
without employment provided, they comply with provisions of the IAM Constitution relating to
unemployment stamps. Members who are not returned to work at the end of a strike will be
issued strike stamps for not more than three weeks after the strike is settled, provided they are
“without employment” and have not been offered the opportunity to return to work. After three
weeks such members may be issued unemployment stamps.

7. Members who have paid unemployment dues for the month prior to the month in which the
strike begins are not eligible for strike benefits unless it is certified that such members returned
to work prior to the strike. Likewise, members on vacation or leave of absence for any reason are
not eligible for strike benefits but can become eligible at the end of such leave or vacation, plus
the two-week waiting period, provided they carry out all duties assigned by the strike committee.
8. Article L, Section 3 of the IAM Constitution prohibits members from working in a struck
establishment. Members who violate this provision may be subject to court-collectable fines.
9. In non-Right-to-Work states or on federal enclaves where union security agreements are
permitted (requiring all bargaining unit employees to pay dues or fees to the union), non-
members (including objectors) are eligible for strike benefits if they honor the strike and perform
the same duties as members. Non-members may not take part in the strike vote or other votes.

Q: Is strike pay taxable? 
A: Strike pay is taxable after receiving $600, members will be sent a 1099 tax form. Strike
checks do not have tax withholding taken out of them.

Q: How am I going to pay my bills? How can I make money?
A: Members should be saving for a Strike ASAP. During a strike, a member can get a job to help
with the financial strain. Members can work at other employers during a strike and if they
complete their strike time will also get strike pay. A Community Resource Committee will be
established to support members during a strike.
Q: Can I take another job? 
A: During a strike, a member can get a job to help with the financial strain.
Q: What if there is a protest during the strike? 
A: If there is a protest during a strike, members will continue to walk the picket line. The
protesters are not a part of our group and will not deter our right to picket.
Q: Can the company send in professional scabs / strike breakers? 
A: There is no law that prohibits employers from hiring replacements during a strike. The union
of course strenuously objects to these workers, who are usually referred to as “scabs.”
Employees who strike to protest an unfair labor practice committed by their employer are called
unfair labor practice strikers. Such strikers can be neither discharged nor permanently replaced.

When the strike ends, unfair labor practice strikers, absent serious misconduct on their part, are
entitled to have their jobs back even if employees hired to do their work have to be discharged.
Q: What are union-busting tactics? 
A: Company tactics might include unethical and illegal tactics including the harassment of union
members, asking members their opinion on contract proposals, asking if they are ready to strike,
promising benefits or rewards for voting for or against a proposal or strike, or other actions that
violate the NLRA.  If you experience any of these illegal activities by a manager or company
representative, please notify your steward or business rep so we can file the appropriate charges
against the Company and protect your right to collectively bargain and Strike (if necessary).
Q: Where can I get the most updated info? 
A:
1. Your Monthly Local Meeting.
2. www.iam-weyco2026.com
3. Text and/or Email Blast(s) will be sent when it is critical to get information to the membership immediately.