We appreciate this opportunity to be a part of Solidarity magazine. Realizing that communication is an important part of the relationship with our members, we welcome this chance to share our views and information with you on a quarterly basis. In turn, we hope that you will share information with regional leadership and staff about your local union and the activities your membership is involved in.

I know there are many issues of concern to our members, but the most important thing that we can talk about right now is organizing. Organizing new workers is a major priority of the UAW because of the importance it plays in bargaining strength. There is a direct correlation between union density (percentage of workers organized in a specific industry) and union strength in negotiations.

Presently our region is engaged in an organizing drive involving 2,500 associates at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. A vote is scheduled and, hopefully, by the time you read this, we will have reported a victory. (See victory story)

The UAW ventured into the health care field because the workers came to us and asked for our help. They were tired of working as "at will" employees and wanted to have a say in their futures. They felt the UAW was best able to help them get the respect and good working conditions they deserve. We recognize that even if the work they do is not traditionally thought of as "UAW work," the issues of staffing levels, wages, compensated overtime, job assignments, and benefits packages are universal among all workers. This has been a tough organizing drive. We are asking that you support the Sparrow workers, and if you know of any other group of workers that would like to organize, call your nearest Region 1C office.

White Shirt Day

Union pioneers attended the Feb. 11 celebration. "I’m very proud of the role that these brave men and women played when they chose to become involved in 1937."

White Shirt Day was celebrated this year at Local 651 in Flint. As part of the day’s celebration Vice President Bob King spoke to the crowd of sitdowners, retirees, and active members. He talked about the importance of the 1937 sitdown strike and asked who was going to carry on the fight that those union pioneers started? Who will take on the fight for workers rights and against corporate greed?

One way we can all take on this fight is through our involvement in politics. It is true today more than ever that what we gain at the bargaining table we can lose at the ballot box. We must all make sure that we are registered to vote and that we exercise this responsibility. We need to make sure that the issues the politicians are talking about are the real issues affecting workers. We must then choose candidates carefully. As President Yokich says, it is time we stop voting solely on the basis of labels. We must support—and vote for—those candidates who support us.

New investment
The decision to bring the assembly of the Cadillac Catera back to the U.S. from Germany is very good news. Local 652 is to be congratulated on the hard work involved in negotiating an innovative contract that meets the needs of both the membership and the corporation. This new plant represents the first investment in a new assembly plant for GM since the Saturn plant began construction in 1985. Congratulations to GM for this decision. We encourage them to follow this up with more investment in the U.S. and especially in Region 1C. Lansing’s Mayor David Hollister is also to be commended for making his city a place that encourages new development.

Next: Assistant Director's Report