September - October 2015

28 Pages·2015·3.44 MB·English

September - October 2015
Two anniversaries –
and the need to look ahead
Last month we marked two peacefully demanded their right stirred the conscience of a nation
important anniversaries for to vote were viciously beaten by and eventually led to President
Americans who care about economic racist thugs. Those in the march, Johnson signing the Voting Rights
and social justice. On Aug. 6, 1965, including many UAW members, Act.
the Voting Rights Act was signed recognized that their only path Charlie Sheppard, a UAW Local
into law by President Lyndon Baines to social justice in the South was 1226 retiree, was born in Selma
Johnson. On Aug. 26, 1935, 200 collective action. Their efforts and knows the sting of racism
delegates from auto plants all over firsthand. You can read about his
the United States met in Detroit for memories of Selma during the
the UAW’s founding convention. Civil Rights era on Page 12. He’s
Backed by a far-right
These two key historic moments seen how far we have come — but
demonstrate what happens when leaning U.S. Supreme knows how far we still have to go.
Americans stand up for their rights As we have seen in the last
Court, they largely
— and just how important it is decade, the protections afforded
to ensure that the battles fought African-Americans in the South
succeeded by making it
and the sacrifices made by the under the VRA have been under
courageous people who came before far more difficult for attack. The proponents of these
us endure. efforts didn’t need snarling police
minorities, the elderly,
Fifty years ago in March, tens of dogs, fire hoses or billy clubs to
thousands of citizens from all walks the handicapped and get their way; they were able
of life traveled to Selma, Alabama, to do so through a well-funded
others to vote.
in response to Bloody Sunday, where effort at deceiving the public
courageous African-Americans who about nonexistent voter fraud.
Civil rights activists, joined by many UAW activists, march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to mark the
50th anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday,’ which led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
PHOTO BY DENN PIETRO
2 SOLIDARITY September - October 2015
Backed by a far-right leaning U.S. Supreme Court, they largely
succeeded by making it far more difficult for minorities, the
elderly, the handicapped and others to vote. It’s shameful and
no less of a stain on our democracy than those who used more
5
aggressive methods a half century earlier. 8
6
L
Eighty years ago, autoworkers, fed up with low wages, grueling A
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work, nonexistent health and safety and subject to the whim L
W
of bosses who cared nothing about their families’ welfare, UA
/
gathered in this city. They recognized that the only way to win R
O
economic justice was through collective action. Success didn’t A home for a vet: YL
A
come easy or without bloodshed, but eventually the bosses Page 24 A T
D
N
understood that working people — working together — would no LI
longer cower. Better wages, health care, retirement security,
a voice in the workplace and vastly improved health and safety
on the job all came from collective bargaining. Four guest
writers give their take on our unique place in American history 6 Auto Update
beginning on Page 14. Talks begin in earnest
They know that there has been a well-funded effort to destroy
the union movement in the last few decades. Yet, even in 8 Time to Reward
adversity, the UAW is growing. Because each time there is a
State employees need fairness
grievance, your voice in the union is heard. Each time we come
together to bargain, your voice in the union is heard. Each
9 Union in His Heart
time you show that union card to ratify or reject a contract,
your voice in the union is heard. Our voice — your voice — is Anonymous donation supports
amplified by hundreds of thousands by that union card. locals in South
The great thing that both of these historic anniversaries share
in common is that the power of voting rights and the power of 10 Skirting Labor Law
the UAW are in fact powered by you. Whether it is the struggle
Legislation would hurt those
to gain rights or the struggle to maintain rights, it is achieved
in gaming
by all of us coming together
through hard work, dedication,
12 A Son of Selma
and yes, even as our histories
have shown sometimes, bloody People died for right to vote
sacrifice.
We have much to do in the 14 COVER STORY
next 80 years. But we should ‘Bridging the Gap’ for 80 years
always remember that the moral
arc of justice is a powerful 24 Finally at home
thing. Together, believing in
Local 685 helps vet build a
each other, the movement to
new life
continue to protect the right to
vote and the mighty voices of
PLUS
the UAW have only just begun.

4 PRO-Member
23 Union Sportsmen’s Alliance
26 Black Lake
27 UAW Bowling
28 Union Plus
SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 3
Stronger together always beats
going it alone
A father had a family of sons who were perpetually sons’ hands, upon which they broke the sticks easily.
quarreling among themselves. One day, he told them He then said, “My sons, if you are of one mind, and
to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done unite to assist each other, you will be as this bundle,
so, he placed the bundle into the hands of each of uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies. But if
them in succession, and ordered his sons to break the you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken
bundle in pieces. They tried with all their strength, as easily as these sticks.”
but were not able to do it.
He next opened the bundle, took the sticks — “The Father, His Sons and the Bundle of Sticks”
separately, one by one, and again put them into his Aesop’s Fables
Even though this story is 2,500 and have a strong contract handful of leaders or activists,
years old, it still resonates. But without solidarity,” said David B. then they know they can wear
sometimes “solidarity” is reduced Reynolds of University of Michigan’s them down. But if it is all of
to just a slogan on a shirt or a chant Center for Labor and Community the workforce, that changes the
at a rally. It’s easy to forget that it Studies. “The labor movement is dynamic completely and shifts
is the very real basic engine that about sticking together — that’s power to the workers.”
drives our union. where the power comes from. If A good example of this is the
“I’ve never seen a union succeed management sees that it is just a experience of workers at Daimler
Hill: Solidarity helped bring back jobs.
Left: The Buy American program wasn’t
about criticizing trucks made in Mexico.
It was about reminding truckers that
a truck made in the U.S. means more
people employed in our country to buy
the goods carried by those trucks.
4 SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 PHOTOS BY JEFF HICKS / UAW LOCAL 3520
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Trucks North America (DTNA). “Most H
P
folks know us as Freightliner,” said
Corey Hill, president of Local 3520
in Cleveland, North Carolina. “I’ve
been with Freightliner since 1992
— we organized in 2003 — so I have
seen our plant with a union and
without one.
“North Carolina is a right-to-work
state and our membership has at
times dipped dangerously low — to
UAW members at five Daimler Trucks North America facilities, including
just above 50 percent. The boss
at Thomas Built Buses, were able to secure a common agreement in
knows it — they take care of dues
2014 because of the solidarity shown by the membership.
deduction so they know who is
and isn’t a union member. A lot of
people don’t think about this, but
two years and not being able to “We knew that the workers —
what happens is that the company
find work even close to what they who were not all members — were
slowly starts to test the boundaries
were earning at Freightliner was not going to get called back unless
of the agreement. They know which
a wakeup call for many. It was a the work was here. So we took
workers won’t file a grievance so
simple conversation to talk about that on and we won.”
it’s easy to ask them to do things
the value of our jobs coming from The campaign drew many
outside the agreement. Before you
the work we were able to do as a new members not only into the
know it, a practice exists which
union. Many joined the UAW after union but also into activism.
undermines the contract.”
that.” “People who were not involved
On top of the erosion of their
The next step was to build on before, people who were not
contract, Freightliner workers also
their momentum. even members before started
faced the unthinkable when their
“One thing to know is that when to help out because they got it
company built a plant in Mexico that
you buy one of these trucks, you — the connection between their
produced the same Class 8 trucks
can request where the truck is memberships, their participation
they produce.
made on the form. We also knew and securing this work,” Hill said.
“Our greatest competition wasn’t
that Freightliner was selling the As the local built up its
another company,” Hill said. “It was
trucks — whether made by us membership — and other
another Freightliner plant.” Over the
in North Carolina or in Mexico Freightliner locals in the area
course of two years starting in 2007,
— for the same price. We took did the same — they headed
the local lost almost 2,000 workers
that message to the truck stops to the table for a major round
to layoffs as more and more of their
and started talking one-on-one of negotiations in 2014. That
trucks were being made in Mexico.
with truckers as part of our ‘Buy bargaining secured a “common
So the local came up with a plan.
American’ campaign because they agreement” where the five
The first thing they did to try to
are the consumer of what we Freightliner locals plus DTNA’s
stem the bleeding and bring workers
make. It wasn’t about criticizing Thomas Built Buses local fall
back was to negotiate a build rate
the trucks made in Mexico; but under one master agreement.
with the company that guaranteed
it was about reminding truckers “No doubt in my mind that
production at their Cleveland plant.
that buying a truck made in the we were only able to do that
“That started to get workers back
USA meant that more workers are because of the strength of our
off layoff, but not nearly to where
employed here to buy the goods membership. Management saw
we were before,” Hill said.
that they carry in their trucks.” that we were strong because
But it was an opportunity to re-
Bit by bit, orders for U.S.-made members supported their union.”
engage with the returning workers to
trucks started piling up, and Moral of the story: We ARE
talk about membership.
workers started to get called back stronger when we stand together.
“Many weren’t members before,”
to Cleveland.
Hill said. “But being on layoff for
SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 5
It’s our time
With a handshake, Detroit Three auto
negotiations begin
“Walter Reuther defined power GM posted an approximate $6.6 billion North
American profit for 2014, added roughly 10,000 jobs,
one day. He said, “Power is
and made significant plant investments throughout
the ability of a labor union like
the country.
UAW to make the most powerful The day after the GM bargaining kickoff, President
corporation in the world ... say, Williams and the UAW-Chrysler bargaining committee
members officially began their 2015 contract
‘Yes’ when it wants to say ‘No.’
negotiations, also with a handshake.
That’s power.” At the press conference at the UAW-Chrysler NTC
(National Training Center) in Detroit, Williams noted
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1967
the long journey FCA US’s working men and women
went through to help bring the company back from
financial hardship.
UAW President Dennis Williams, surrounded by UAW
“Today’s handshake is a signal that UAW members
negotiating committee members, officially began
remember the sacrifices they made to achieve
2015 contract negotiations with General Motors, Fiat
prosperity for FCA US and, now, they know it’s our
Chrysler Automotive US (FCA US) and Ford in July with
time,” said Williams. “It’s time for FCA US, UAW
handshakes with company leadership and bargaining
members, shareholders and consumers to win at the
team members.
table.”
The current three-year agreements with the
UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell, who directs
companies expire at midnight Sept. 14.
the UAW Chrysler Department, said the company has
The UAW’s goal is simple and achievable with the
come such a long way since the dark days of the auto
power of collective bargaining: Bridge the gap for
crisis.
entry level and legacy employees while creating
“UAW members worked hard for this day. It’s time
prosperity for members, company shareholders and
to bridge the gap for working people to a shared
consumers.
prosperity,” he said.
“We’re doing more than shaking hands today,” said
Since the last collective bargaining session in 2011,
Williams at the GM press conference July 13 at the
the company has added approximately 10,000 jobs
UAW-GM CHR (Center for Human Resources) in Detroit.
and last year posted a profit in North America of $3.5
“After the last two bargaining periods with GM, UAW
billion.
members made a lot of sacrifices to help the company
achieve prosperity. Now, we feel like it’s our time,”
said Williams. “We can all win, working people,
The UAW’s goal is simple and
shareholders and the company.”
UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, who directs the achievable with the power of
union’s General Motors Department, said collaboration
is key. collective bargaining: Bridge
“When UAW members succeed, it lifts our
the gap for entry level and
communities’ economies and our state economies.
Bridging the gap to prosperity for all is essential
legacy employees while creating
to not only UAW members, but to the country’s
manufacturing economy,” said Estrada. “The stakes prosperity for members, company
are high.”
shareholders and consumers.
6 SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 PHOTOS BY RENA LAVERTY
The final handshake press
conference of the Detroit Three
took place July 24 at Detroit’s Cass
Technical High School.
President Williams and UAW-Ford
negotiating committee members,
kicked off the Ford talks, again,
with a ceremonial handshake with
company leadership.
“From the Battle of the Overpass
to the new era of partnership, from
the early days of the post-war auto UAW President Dennis Williams, second from left, and Vice President
boom to the phenomenal growth Cindy Estrada shake hands with their counterparts at General Motors.
of Ford after the Great Recession Behind them is the UAW bargaining team at GM.
in recent years, the UAW and Ford
have a long history together,” said
Williams. “Today, I call on our
decades together to launch us
into contract talks that build on
the prosperity that our members’
sacrifices have helped create with
Ford.”
UAW Vice President Jimmy
Settles, who directs the union’s
National Ford Department, said the
bargaining team is well aware of
the challenges they face. “We look
forward to reaching a collective
bargaining agreement that provides
financial gains for our membership,
while ensuring that Ford remains
UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, who directs the union’s National
on its current path of profitability.
Ford Department, makes remarks at the opening of negotiations with
Furthermore, I’m excited that
Ford Motor Co.
this ceremony is taking place
in the community, as it should
remind each of us the impact
these negotiations will have on
the communities across this nation
where our members work and live,”
said Settles.
Since the last round of contract
talks in 2011, Ford has added
roughly 15,000 jobs and last year
posted a North American profit of
$6.9 billion.
Now, it’s time to build on those
gains and head for this year’s goal
— bridge the gap for all working
people.
Joan Silvi
UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell, who directs the union’s Chrysler
Department, said the company has come a long way since the dark days
of the auto crisis.
SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 7
Time for fairness
Local 6000 state employees
begin contract talks in Michigan
Freida Michilizzi and her fellow UAW Local 6000
members have had to work days with no pay, seen their
work load increase, watched as services were cut, and
witnessed the State of Michigan begin to outsource jobs
in foster care, adult independent living and corrections
systems.
Michilizzi, an office assistant, knows how much state
employees have helped as Michigan moved from one
crisis to another over the last several years. Now, as
Local 6000 members enter into bargaining for a new
contract, they believe it’s time for the state to treat
them fairly.
“We’ve given up a lot in concessions to the state,”
Michilizzi said. “Health care is a huge concern. We pay
more out of our pocket because the state says they UAW President Dennis Williams leads negotiations
can’t afford it, but they give state officials raises. We with the Local 6000 bargaining committee. State of
have had to work several days without pay.” Michigan employees have made considerable sacrifices
UAW President Dennis Williams joined Local 6000 in recent years.
President Ed Mitchell and the bargaining team in
Lansing on July 24 to kick off 2015 contract talks.
Privatization and outsourcing, job security and and probation officers, as well as administrative
protecting health care are among the top priorities for support and human services personnel. The current
members going into this round of bargaining. contract expires Dec. 31.
“When we shake hands today, we must recognize UAW and State of Michigan officials last negotiated
the sacrifices these state workers have made in contracts in 2013. In 2011, UAW and other unions
recent years, and bargain a contract that will provide entered a coordinated bargaining process with the
stable public services for UAW members, taxpayers state employer during contract talks, but no decision
and those who truly rely on all of us,” Williams said. has been made on whether it will do so in the 2015
“The decisions we make will impact families and talks.
communities across Michigan and set the tone for our “Our goal is for Michigan to prosper and for UAW
state’s middle-class economy for years to come. These members to share in the value of the hard work it
stakes are high.” takes to keep our state running efficiently and with
Williams emphasized the need to find a way to the creative innovation that UAW members give
provide health care at affordable rates to protect the taxpayers day in and day out,” said Mitchell, Local
earning power of state workers. He called upon the 6000’s president. “We view ourselves as good stewards
state to work in tandem with the union on the issue. of the taxpayer money and we work hard to make sure
“We have done it in auto, we have done it in that the work we do delivers quality services to the
agricultural implement, we have done it in aerospace, people of Michigan.”
we have done it in all of our industries,” he added. It’s clear Local 6000 members have gone above and
The UAW has represented State of Michigan workers beyond their duty to uphold their end of the bargain.
since 1985, with Local 6000 being the union’s largest They feel it’s time for the state to do likewise.
local. Currently, it represents about 17,000 members in “We’ve put our household budgets on hold to help
1,100 work sites throughout the state and includes UAW the state balance their budget,” said Michilizzi, the
members in every department in state government. office assistant. “The state can’t keep coming to us to
Members include nurses, teachers, doctors, probation balance its books because it passed bad legislation.”
officers, social workers, secretaries, teachers, parole
8 SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 STORY AND PHOTO BY SUSANNE MEREDITH
He put his money where his heart is
Retiree donates $25,000 to help organize at Volkswagen and Mercedes
Some people simply talk the talk. they are way better than any shop moved to spend a great deal of
But others also walk the walk. that isn’t UAW,” the retiree said. money to help make the UAW a
The actions of a retired UAW The donation sent a “shockwave” stronger union and we are grateful
member who understands what through Local 42, said Financial for his gesture.”
his union has meant to him, his Secretary Chris Brown. The local Ray Curry, director of UAW
community and his country clearly will most likely use the funds to Region 8, which is home to both
put him in the latter category. The buy computers and software to locals, said the donation also
UAW in July received a $25,000 help in their organizing effort. shows nonmembers how much
check that the member — who “Him donating the money was UAW members care about what
wishes to remain anonymous — a godsend to us,” Brown said. “It happens in their shop.
wants dedicated to organizing. was very encouraging to our local “It tells them something about
The donation will be used to membership. I can’t state enough how members truly feel about
support Local 42 in Chattanooga, the shockwave it sent to the local the work their union does on
Tennessee, which represents membership.” their behalf,” Curry said. “It’s
members at Volkswagen, and Local Local 112 President George Jones a statement about the value of
112 in Vance, Alabama, which called the donor a compassionate being a union member and how
represents Mercedes members. individual who understands what that has improved their lives.”
While locals have been established in he has gained through being a UAW The donation also came as
these locations and much has been member and wants to make sure a pleasant surprise to UAW
accomplished, much more remains other workers can gain what he Secretary-Treasurer Gary Casteel,
to be done before the UAW becomes has. who oversees transnational
the legally recognized bargaining “When I heard about this it organizing.
agent in both locations. brought tears to my eyes because “It’s always great to see someone
The retiree, a skilled tradesman it means someone does have who recognizes the value of the
and a member of Local 467 in compassion for their fellow man,” UAW and what we’ve done in
Saginaw, Michigan, said he decided Jones said. “He had the heart the past, and supports what we
to donate the money because to say, ‘I want to give back to are trying to accomplish in the
he worked in nonunion shops for someone else,’ and that’s what he future,” Casteel said. “We deeply
seven years before landing a job at has done.” appreciate his generosity. We
General Motors’ Chevrolet Saginaw Jones said plans haven’t been also appreciate the fact that this
Transmission plant. made for using the money as yet, member understands that if our
“I saw how they treat people when but it will definitely be used in union and organized labor don’t
they don’t have any representation accordance with the donor’s wishes grow, a middle class as we know it
or any means to protect to educate members about the will not survive in this country.”
themselves,” the retiree said. benefits of joining the UAW.
He said he valued his UAW Gerald Kariem, director of UAW Vince Piscopo
membership because it allowed him Region 1D, which includes the
to live comfortably in his retirement. donor’s local, said the generosity
“We’ve always managed our money of the member does not go
Get the UAW App
well,” he said. “We live within our unnoticed by other members in
means. I would not have half as Michigan and elsewhere.
Be the first to download
much money as I do now if I worked “Many members feel this way
the UAW’s new app and
in a nonunion shop.” about their union and contribute
stay informed about what’s
Without his UAW-negotiated health in other ways such as volunteering
going on in you union! Sign
benefits, he would have faced in their community, becoming
up at http://bit.ly/1IN8NIa
bankruptcy because of his wife’s active in politics or helping during
expensive medical treatments. organizing drives,” Kariem said.
“I know the UAW is not perfect, but “This particular member was
SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 9
Bill would deny U.S. labor law protection
Anti-worker lobbyists for tribal casinos seek to block unions
Anti-labor extremists in Washington representing tribal casinos and
are constantly devising new anti-worker organizations like the
‘Without the protection
strategies to take away hard-earned U.S. Chamber of Commerce have
collective bargaining rights. At of a union and U.S. been pushing hard to pass it. The
a time of wage stagnation and a bill would eliminate rights for more
labor law, many gaming
shrinking middle class, this is the than 628,000 gaming workers at
last thing Congress should be doing. workers at tribal casinos casinos on tribal lands. This is
Yet the attacks continue. One of big business. In 2013, there were
will find their livelihoods
the latest proposals before Congress 449 tribal gaming facilities, which
is a bill called the Tribal Labor dependent on the whims made $28 billion in revenues. Many
Sovereignty Act. tribes also operate commercial
of casino management.’
If passed and signed into law, businesses outside of gaming,
the bill would hurt UAW members employing tens of thousands more
at Foxwoods Resort Casino in workers.
— UAW Region 9A
Connecticut because it would Beyond the numbers, it would
eliminate U.S. labor law on tribal Director Julie Kushner have a detrimental impact on
casinos and erode their collective families who are working hard to
bargaining rights. Lobbyists make ends meet. Consider the
UAW gaming members vote on their first-ever contract at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. A bill now
before Congress would make union organizing more difficult at tribal-owned casinos.
10 SOLIDARITY September - October 2015 PHOTOS BY SCOTT SOMMER