Garage Mind: 703 and 710 Strike Stories, Unity, and First-Contract Lessons

Tony is joined by Brian and Johnny Scianna, a business agent with 703, to break down a six-week strike that was really a year and a half in the making. They cover what it takes to win a first contract, why unity matters, and how communication, education, and member involvement shape every step of a labor fight.In this episode:

• Johnny Sienna shares how he came up through 703 from warehouse and produce work into a full-time business agent role
• The group explains why the open kitchens fight was really a long first-contract campaign, not just a six-week strike
• They dig into the importance of unity on the line, especially when an employer is waiting for people to break
• Brian and Johnny compare first-contract fights with mature contracts, especially how employers use delay tactics
• They discuss why language matters as much as wages, including job protection, seniority, strike language, and health and pension protections
• The conversation covers bannering, customer outreach, and how public education changed the pressure on the employer
• Johnny explains how scabs, damaged equipment, and unsafe driving on refrigerated meal routes changed the stakes
• They talk about the challenge of supporting members without letting emotions override strategy
• The guys reflect on how strike lines create stronger bonds between co-workers and often turn them into real friends
• They close on networking across locals, sharing tactics, and building solidarity beyond one hall

Unity first - a strike only works when the membership stays together

• Education every day - members, temp workers, and even employers need context
• Language matters - protections outlast a temporary wage bump
• Homework before bargaining - know the history, the issues, and the leverage points
• Action plus communication - banners, outreach, and public messaging increase pressure
• Different styles, same goal - stewards, BAs, and rank-and-file all bring something different

Notable Quotes:

• “Unity is key.”
• “Language is what keeps you earning that money.”
• “When we fight we win.”