Save America

Hamtramck, Mich.

Photo: Gwynne Cobb

Actor and activist Danny Glover, right, joined autoworkers, steelworkers, elected officials and community supporters for a "Keep It Made in America" bus tour and companion rallies that took place across the country in May.

The community-based events highlighted support for the U.S. auto industry, as high-stakes negotiations were under way on the restructuring of U.S. auto firms.

The tour was initiated by the United Steelworkers, which represents hundreds of thousands of workers who supply steel, rubber, glass and other components for U.S.-built cars and trucks. UAW members greeted the buses as they visited 34 cities in 11 states, creating a powerful alliance of workers and communities standing together for U.S. jobs.

On May 19 UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and Steelworkers President Leo Gerard joined union members and federal lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol for a daylong teach-in.

As workers and communities make painful changes to help the auto industry restructure, Gerard said it's time to change trade agreements that put U.S. industries and workers at a disadvantage.

"The rules are stacked against us," he said, citing Japan's automotive trade surplus with the United States. "We want to compete on a level playing field."

"We're all together in this fight," said Gettelfinger. "Autoworkers, steelworkers, schoolteachers, local businesses – we've all got a stake in making sure this country has a strong manufacturing sector, now and in the future."