Tuned-in
Jesse Riley credits Steve Yokich with reducing mandatory overtime at the Toledo Powertrain so he could have more time with his family. Riley, an assembler who has 17 years at GM’s Powertrain facility in Toledo, Ohio, and 27 overall in the UAW, said he was working nearly every Saturday in the mid-1990s. The 1999 contract reduced overtime, raised base wages and workers still managed to meet the production schedules.
“That always stands out in my mind, how he calculated that,” Riley said.
He remembers what Yokich said when he addressed the overtime situation: “We didn’t come this far to work this way,” Riley said. “It makes a difference in your life. I’d like to say he was a visionary. He had that ability to sense what the average worker was dealing with. He came out of the rank and file. He never forgot it. When you are out of the trenches, it’s easy to forget.”
Jesse Riley is a member of UAW Local 14.
Talent and drive
“President Yokich was an individual who had the ability to look beyond daily problems. He could discern where our union needed to head in the future so that we might remain viable and continue to make a difference to working men and women. He not only had that ability, but he also had the talent and the drive to achieve necessary changes. All one needs to do is look at the pattern agreements he negotiated in 1999. They were unprecedented in scope.
“As much as I admired Steve for his negotiating skills, I admired him just as much for his commitment to the political process and social justice. Steve Yokich realized that politics impacted everything we do as a union. He also realized that with political power, social justice became an obligation.
“Steve Yokich was a trade unionist through and through. He embodied what we all hope to become and he will be greatly missed.”
Terry Thurman is director of UAW Region 3.
An appreciation
“Everyone should appreciate what Steve Yokich did for our labor union, but also for what he did as a great supporter and advocate for the entire labor movement and all working families. They should also appreciate everything he did to protect our members’ jobs and his tireless work in the political arena helping candidates who support our issues.
“One thing that really stands out in my mind is that Steve negotiated the Election Day holiday, which was a tremendous boost for all Democratic candidates. I’m sure it stands out in the Republican Party, too, because there were several news stories about the Election Day holiday after the 2000 elections.”
Don Oetman is director of UAW Region 1D.
Enjoyed every challenge
“Regardless of where Steve was assigned or what position he held, he always made things interesting.
“Steve’s love was the labor movement. He enjoyed every challenge that he faced, and most of all he enjoyed the struggle that took us to victory.
“With that in mind, we owe it to Steve and ourselves to continue his legacy.”
Dennis Williams is director of UAW Region 4.
Our fight is in the streets
“One of the things I remember most about President Yokich was when I attended the WTO rally in Washington, D.C., two years ago.
“Members of our local union had the privilege of being on stage, so we were up there with James Hoffa, President Yokich and others. They all gave their speeches about the importance of fair trade and we listened.
“When President Yokich made his speech, he kept it short and sweet. He said our fight was in the streets. That took me back to how it must have been in the old days of Walter Reuther. It really hit home with me.
“I always preach this to my friends: ‘The UAW is the Cadillac of all unions.’”
Mike Schmidt is a member of UAW Local 110.
