ANGERED BY BUSH PAYBACKS
It sure didn’t take long for President “George W. Cheney” to start the payback process to all the heavy hitters who helped finance the richest campaign in this nation’s history: fat cat oil companies, the National Manufacturers Association, coal industry, airline industry--awarding them the 60-day “cooling-off period,” banking industry and signing the bankruptcy bill.

Stay tuned for upcoming attractions by the Bush/Cheney team: An attempt to eliminate all labor unions’ volunteer dollar drives, which are used for legislative activities, is just over the horizon.

Don Corn
UAW Local 737 retiree
Nashville, Tenn.

SAYS VOTE WITH LABOR
Before retiring in 1983, I served as president and political action committee chairman of my local. During my time in those positions, we were very active in registration drives and getting out the vote. I knew then that we had some “to-the-core” Republicans in our membership. And as much as we tried to educate them to vote for politicians who favored labor, we had no success. Well, those who voted for Bush are now learning he and his cohorts are out to get labor.

John Maruschak
UAW Local 677
Allentown, Pa.

ENRICHED AT BLACK LAKE
In May, I had the opportunity to attend a weeklong education session at Black Lake. The classes were very informative. We discussed issues like union involvement and the global economy.

I was very impressed with the first-class treatment the attendees received. And I cannot say enough about the architectural design of the buildings and the layout of the landscape--especially the golf course. It’s a great place to connect with nature. The food was second to none. The evening entertainment was equally great. I met some really interesting members from all over the U.S. and Puerto Rico. I urge anyone who has the opportunity to attend Black Lake to seize it.

Gerry LeBlanc
UAW Local 1913
Seabrook, N.H.

APPRECIATES WOODCOCK MEMORIAL
The Leonard Woodcock piece (May 2001) was a wonderful remembrance of a UAW pioneer.

Patrick J. Conley
UAW Local 36
Wixom, Mich.

INSPIRING MESSAGE TO MEMBERSHIP
We are well into the new millennium, and many issues need to be looked at closer than ever. Just getting by, with the way we have always done things in the past, is not good enough anymore.

The apparent downturn in the economy makes it even more important for all of us to make a united stand for our local unions. Upcoming union elections and contract negotiations will be addressing key issues. We all need to vote.

We all need to believe in and practice brother and sisterhood. If we choose to participate in negative social interactions and racism, we’ll all suffer.

Bruce A. Ristich
UAW Local 2250
Wentzville, Mo.

AUTO FIRMS SEEK HAVEN
Safer jobs on the Mexican border? That is nothing more than an attempt to create a haven for the auto companies to produce more parts with inexpensive labor. Not until minimum wage in Mexico is raised to 80 pesos per hour, $8, will anyone there benefit. Mexican government corruption has always, to my knowledge, been the cause of this.

Lee Marion
UAW Local 888
Dayton, Ohio

SOCIAL INVESTORS CAN DO WELL
As both a financial adviser and a union member, I agree with much of your recent article on 401(k)s (Solidarity May 2001).

Our firm has always recommended 401(k) plans as supplements to existing retirement plans, including Social Security and defined-benefit plans, not as substitutes. And we do not lobby in support of privatization of Social Security.

However, your readers might wish to know that with a socially responsible 401(k), their money can both do well and do good. They can get a competitive return and channel capital into community development, affordable housing and job creation. They will also avoid investing in companies that discriminate, use union-busting tactics or hire sweatshop labor.

This is what we call the double bottom line: enhance your retirement and improve society as the same time.

Ron Freund
UAW Local 1981
Berkeley, Calif.

IMPRESSED BY ARTISTS AT WORK
The artwork in the Jan./Feb. issue of Solidarity was just great. Marcus Glenn’s work screams of talent. It was an excellent idea to use his work for your cover.

Alan Miller
Labour Specialist
Ryerson University Library
Toronto, Ont.

Letters
We welcome letters to Solidarity. Because we receive so many, we cannot print them all and we reserve the right to edit for length. Please keep letters brief and include your name, address, and local union number.

Send to Solidarity magazine, UAW, 8000 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI, 48214 or via the Internet: uawsolidarity@uaw.net

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