We Can Win This Strike!
Information Picket Line, Wed., May 14, 2008, Induction Services, 24800 Mound (south of 10 mile, east side) 6am-7am, 2:30pm-4pm (park in lot just north of plant)
Supervisor scabs have been running Hino axles for Toyota down at the Detroit Forge. We followed trucks to Induction Services. We want to inform workers there of these scab parts they are being forced to handle.
After hearing President Gettelfinger's radio show, one thing is clear: "hundreds of concessions" have gained us nothing except the demand for more concessions! It's time for a change in strategy! No plant closings! No wage cut! We can win this strike by forcing GM to stop buying scab parts from American Axle! What would Dauch do then?
The International needs to: 1) Remove all concessions from the table immediately! 2) Double the strike benefits to $400 a week. 3) Reschedule the Hart Plaza rally. We also need a rally in downtown Buffalo in front of the City Hall! 4) Hold weekly rallies at the AAM Headquarters. 2000 strikers and supporters showed for our last one! 5) Bring strikers and supporters out to halt production at Detroit Forge of stabilizer bars for GM cars and the Hino axle for Toyota with civil disobedience. 6) Hold informational picket lines wherever there are scab parts. 7) Set up a speakers bureau to visit local unions and churches. 8) Set up an adopt a striker program with hardship cases recommended by benefit reps.
We had a very successful information picket line at Poletown. The support we received from the workers as we handed out our leaflet was overwhelming. Let's reach out to the community! We can't fall for that lie that American Axle can move all operations to Mexico. Axles are too bulky, risk damage, and shipping would be prohibitive. No plant closings! No wage cut! Vote no if these key demands are not met!
Here's what Gettelfinger said about the negotiations. Go to: http://www.wwj.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=2140052)
* The UAW negotiated to allow AAM to "phase out" the Buffalo plant mid-contract (in violation of the no plant closings language) IN ORDER TO HELP THE COMPANY (what about the Buffalo work force, who were injured by this friendly deed?)
* The UAW cancelled the April 18th support rally for downtown Detroit because the company led them to believe a settlement was close.
* The UAW has agreed to hundreds of changes in the upcoming agreement ALL TO THE COMPANY'S ADVANTAGE but find that the company comes back for more and more.
* The UAW has agreed to the closing of Detroit Forge and Tonawanda because "that's being forced upon us" and therefore were shocked to discover that AAM now wants to close Cheektowaga too. The company had already agreed to allow some of the Tonawanda work force to transfer to Cheektowaga, but on Friday (5/9) when the UAW bargaining committee came back from dinner, they found a letter demanding the closure of Cheektowaga.
* When asked if the UAW/AAM had been close on the economic package, Gettelfinger said that he doesn't know where they are on the economic package because every time the union turns around, the company has changed its position.
* Staff members, to "save" the Three Rivers facility, had agreed to wage cuts so low that it would take them 6 months to earn the equivalent to what the Board of Directors got in a retainer increase.
* Gettelfinger said that he has never witnessed such a negotiating process in which the company has had such callous disregard for the work force and that the company is out to crush the membership. * Gettelfinger's always been against GM getting involved in helping AAM. Once they gave AAM $200 million the company was determined to take it for themselves.
AAM strikers and retirees: let's go to our union meetings and turn up the "street heat." Workers united will not be defeated!
Local 235: don't forget General Membership Meeting, this Sunday, May 18th, 2pm
Shifting Gears, Newsletter by and for the Rank and File
american-axle@googlegroups.com, soldiersofsolidarity@googlegroups.com, WThomp4490@aol.com, 313-892-7974, 313-215-7672
