Walkouts

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

I participated in a walkout once.   I was working third trick at 16th St 
Bridge.  (16th St Bridge consists of two two track bridges over the 
Chicago River.  One is called the B&O Bridge the other the Airline 
Bridge.)   At that time, the 1960's, the B&O Bridge was at the entrance 
to Grand Central Station.  At around 1AM, our union rep. Mike Serby, 
called and said, "We are going on strike - you go picket Grand Central 
Station".  That was the first I had heard of a strike!  At around 2 AM, 
I locked up the tower, got in my Jeep and drove over to the station.  I 
went up to the Dispatcher's Office and they were in turmoil, I talked to 
them for a while and then got a picket sign, went down in front of the 
station, and walked until 6 AM.  At 6:30 AM I got in my Jeep and drove 
over to the high school where I taught physics.  The B&O got their 
injunction by 9 AM.  I went back to work the next night as though 
nothing had happened.  To this day, I'm not sure why there was a 
walkout, but it certainly was an interesting experience.

Ron Peisker