May/June 2006

Helen Walker likes people, whatever their age. A child care worker at the UAW-GM Child Development Center in Flint, Mich., she has been a UAW Local 1811 member in Region 1C for five years. Walker likes adults, too. She understands what quality child care means, not just for parents and kids; but for the whole community. That’s why she volunteered to become a temporary organizer for the UAW Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) Department, organizing other child care workers.

How did you become a temporary organizer?

My chairperson was talking about the value of organizing at our local union meeting last year and asked us to check a box on a card if we wanted to help. I did, and the next thing I knew a TOP Department organizer from Region 1C called me.

How much training does it take to become a temporary organizer?

We went to Solidarity House in Detroit for an all-day training. We learned how to talk with workers when we visit them in their homes. I’ve done this for about five months, and now I’m training volunteers.

How have you enjoyed being a temporary organizer?

I’ve never knocked on a stranger’s door in my life, but my heart is really into this now. I’m honored to help other child care workers organize. There are thousands of child care workers who are paid so little and have no way to get their voices heard.

Sam Stark

ORGANIZING ROUNDUP

It’s ‘UAW yes!’ at Ontario plant

Dan Howe wanted only to be part of a union that “honors our democratic right to have a say on what goes on in our workplace.”

That’s why Howe, who has worked at Ontario Engineered Suspension for 28 years, is among the 140 parts workers at the Chatham-area plant who recently voted to join the UAW.

“We know that the UAW will work with us and not around us,” said Howe, a new Region 1 member. “It’s important to us to have a voice in the workplace and know that when there is a proposal that affects us, we will have the opportunity to vote on it, no matter how good or bad it is.”

The workers produce new and replacement leaf springs for light- and heavy-duty vehicles for the Big Three.

In Region 2B workers at Engineered Plastic Products Manufacturing in Lima, Ohio, voted to join the UAW. The 206 workers produce auto interior plastic moldings for General Motors and DaimlerChrysler. Also in that region, Tower Automotive workers in Bellevue, Ohio, joined the UAW in a card-check election. The 170 new members make automotive frames for Ford Motor Co. And in Northwood, Ohio, about 150 workers at Faurecia Interior Systems USA Inc., which makes interior door panels, seats and other parts, are new UAW members. The workers, who joined the union through a card-check election, produce interior door panels for DaimlerChrysler’s NitroToledo Assembly Plant.

In other victories, the UAW organized workers in:

• Region 4: In a card check, two units in the city of Delavan (Ill.). One unit includes the police chief, assistant police chief, sergeant and all full-time police officers. The second unit includes all full-time and regular part-time street, alley, sewer, water and park workers.

• Region 1C: Workers at R&J Plating in Jackson, Mich., who produce chrome door latches and ash trays for GM and Ford.

• Region 1A: Also in a card check, workers at TDS Logistics in Dundee, Mich., who perform material handling for Global Engine Mfg. Alliance.

Sandra Davis

CALL TO ACTION

Speak out on Social Security scheme

Just because we stopped President Bush’s attempt to privatize Social Security last year doesn’t mean he’s given up trying to dismantle America’s most successful social program. The federal budget he proposed in February calls for cuts in the survivor benefits that workers have paid for. Bush wants to eliminate the $255 death benefit for surviving spouses – cutting off needed money to 800,000 widows and widowers.

The administration also proposes eliminating monthly survivor benefits for children older than 15 who don’t attend school full time or have dropped out. This penalizes already vulnerable teens and is an inappropriate way to encourage school attendance.

These benefits, paid for through payroll taxes, are critically important for families trying to put their lives back together after the loss of a loved one.

Larry Gabriel

Contact your members of Congress and ask them to reject Bush’s misguided proposals to cut Social Security survivor benefits. Call (202) 224-3121.