We call it solidarity

Photo: JOE GHINELLI / UAW LOCAL 5960

Kendra Mills

UAW Local 5960,
GM’s Orion plant,
Lake Orion, Mich.

"With everything going on in the U.S. economy, it’s hard to go to work every day thinking everything is going to be OK. But at our plant we strive to have our local membership informed. We take training classes throughout the year so everyone can better understand the importance of working together as a whole to produce a quality vehicle that customers want to buy. If we can work together as a team, it helps keep our plant on track, keeps products in our plant and keeps our members working."

Photo: SUE BROGAN

Ron Brogan

UAW Local 668 retiree, GM’s Saginaw (Mich.)
Metal Casting Operations,
Frankenmuth, Mich.

"During these uncertain stressful times people need each other more than ever. It doesn't matter whether you are an active member wondering about your job and the fate of your plant or a retired member worried about your health care and pension. Most of the time, it’s comforting just talking to someone. You will find a plant full of good listeners at GM’s Saginaw (Mich.) Metal Casting Operations. Local 668 members there practice solidarity every day. Sometimes a member needs help, but you can bet most of the time the members of 668 are rallying to help others in the community who are in need. That’s solidarity at its best."

Photo: MICHAEL JOSEPH

Keith Brown

UAW (Amalgamated) Local 245 president,
Dearborn, Mich.

“It deeply concerns me to see the double standard that Washington has waged against the Detroit 3. The financial institutions of this country got handouts not bailouts, with no strings attached. GM, Ford and Chrysler reached landmark agreements with UAW bargaining committees in the fall of 2007 and again with contract modifications in March 2009. At Ford these modifications were a bitter pill to swallow and something that no one wanted. But members ratified the modifications to help the company once again.

“After all that, some members of Congress still say it wasn't good enough.

“Washington and the American people must understand that if the Detroit 3 fail, so will this nation. We must build products in this country to have a vibrant economy.”

Photo:JIMMY HYLAND IBEW LOCAL 1049

Brian Schneck

UAW Local 259 president, Hicksville (Long Island), N.Y.; the local represents technicians and parts workers at 85 auto dealerships in the New York City and Long Island area.

“More than 600,000 jobs have been lost per month since November 2008. And millions of Americans fear losing their jobs. … But the attitudes of some of our representatives in Congress about how it’s not worth saving the auto industry just sets my hair on fire … What drives me absolutely nuts is to hear how the governments of Japan, Sweden and Germany all ‘get’ it, meaning they understand how important the survival of the auto industry is to their countries. But what do we do here in the U.S.? Some believe, ‘Just let it die.’”

Photo: REBECCA COOK

Revoydia Slide

UAW Local 961 retiree,
Chrysler’s Detroit Axle plant,
Oak Park, Mich.

“Some folks think that as UAW retirees we have it made. But we’re worried, too, about the survival of the auto industry and whether GM and Chrysler go into bankruptcy.
“It’s not only the Big Three that could go under. It all trickles down.
“I worked at Chrysler’s Detroit Axle plant for 34 years, and I know this is far worse than what Chrysler went through in the 1970s. I have confidence that we are going to be OK, that everything’s going to turn out fine. We still build good products – another reason that buying American, union-made vehicles is so important.”

Photo: ROGER KERSON

Paul Caucci

UAW Local 869 president,
Chrysler’s Warren Stamping plant,
Warren, Mich.

“We must learn from our union’s founders who also faced difficult times and hard decisions. They stood strong together and had the will to succeed.
“Let’s remember that as individuals we are nowhere near as strong as when we stand together, fighting for the same cause.
“Let’s stick together in this fight and remain optimistic that we will live to fight another day, united by a common cause with the will to survive.”

Photo: MARVIN K. McALLISTER UAW LOCAL 23

Tony Bell

UAW Local 23,
GM’s Metal Fabricating Division,
Indianapolis

“Solidarity among UAW workers and retirees remains strong because of being well-informed and organized with great visionary leadership past and present. The auto industry crisis resulted from America’s devastating financial crisis, which has had broad implications within corporations as well as the communities in which we live.
“That’s the call for UAW members today: to stand up and stand out as we have done in the past.
“In the spirit of solidarity, let’s share our hope and experience within our communities by organizing, informing and rallying as only UAW members can do.”

Photo: NORM KUJAWA / UAW LOCAL 3000

Garry Sommerville

UAW Local 3000 plant chair,
Ford’s Auto Alliance International facility,
Flat Rock, Mich.

“Unions fought to give us decent wages, health benefits and the hope of a secure retirement. These are things that made our grandparents come to this country in hopes of a better life for their children. No other country can outproduce or outbuild the United States, and no other workforce can adapt to change as well as we can. … We will rise up and find a way to get through this. It's just the American way.”

Julie Leindecker

UAW Local 592 CAP chair,
Hamilton Sunstrand,
Rockford, Ill.

“The automobile industry is the backbone of American manufacturing. … Through blood, sweat and tears, the UAW is not only responsible for creating a living standard for its members, but also for all Americans who enjoy the advantages of health care, a living wage and pension benefits, to name a few. Our union’s membership has shown great patience and integrity in the face of the current economic crisis as we continue to make sacrifices in an effort to save the auto industry. These sacrifices must be made across the board, not just on the backs of union workers. As plant closings and layoffs loom, everyone feels the pressure of uncertainty. But we must solidify our commitment to stand firm and united with our UAW brothers and sisters and continue the fight for what is fair and just.”

Lyle Birchman

UAW Local 602,
GM’s Lansing Delta Township plant,
Lansing, Mich.

“It's about the people. I think of all the decent and dedicated folks I've worked with over the years. I’m grateful for how the UAW has enabled us to provide for our families.
“We'll get through these hard times, if we work together as union brothers and sisters.
“And remember: We are all the UAW. It's time for everyone to step up and pitch in and help our great cause. Have you e-mailed your elected representative? Have you written a letter to your local paper talking about the great products we build? Have you volunteered at your local? Now is the time to come together.”

Yvette Thompson-Gordon

UAW Local 1435 guide,
Chrysler’s Toledo Machining plant,
Perrysburg, Ohio

“I’m a Toledo native and fourth generation UAW worker. Here in Toledo, we once had four UAW-represented plants in addition to mine (Toledo Jeep North Assembly, GM Powertrain and Ford). These auto companies helped our city develop and allowed its residents to maintain a very comfortable living. …What will happen to my grandchildren's future if Toledo loses all four auto plants?”

Kip Burditt

UAW Local 551,
Ford’s Chicago Assembly plant

“After hearing that the UAW and U.S. automakers were going back to the table to renegotiate our national contract, it became clear that in order to become more competitive we could lose a lot in concessions. I came to the conclusion that UAW autoworkers were in for a rough road. No one ever wants to give up anything that was fought so hard for, but I have hope we will take back the market. These are very difficult times, and it doesn’t help matters when foreign-made vehicles flood the U.S. auto market and more than 50 percent of Americans choose to buy them. Let’s keep our safety and quality best in their class and earn back consumers’ confidence.”