Workers' Words

Wilbert Lowe III, UAW Local 1813, Carrollton, Ky.

Wilbert Lowe III

After 28½ years at ArvinMeritor Inc. in Carrollton, Ky., Wilbert Lowe III lost his job in September. The 48-year-old quality technician was among more than 30 UAW Local 1813 members who were laid off from the company’s casting center, which produces hubs and drums for heavy vehicle braking systems. “Five years ago, we had more than 375 members machining over 277 braking systems,” Lowe said. “Then all of the machining was outsourced, and we just assembled. Everyone in the plant had 27 years of seniority or more. They’re shutting us down and sending jobs overseas to China, Mexico, Indonesia and Brazil,” said Lowe, who returned to college two years ago and is working toward a teaching degree. The plant will close for good in mid-November after 37 years in business.

Lowe also is working on a new Web site for Local 1813 workers.

If you’d like to learn more about it, e-mail him at wilbert.lowe@gmail.com

Jobs are gone but memories stay

As we look over the past 37 years of working together,
We have created a bond that will stay with us forever.

Those hard-worked early mornings or long, hot restless nights,
Those days of 10 hours through Sunday, we did our job and did it right.

We listened as friends through the divorces, the marriages and the children’s birth,
We rejoiced at ballgames, picnics, dances and the many activities here on God’s earth.

We saw loved ones pass on, employees grow old and members in pain,

But we pulled together as a family to be strong, positive and only solidarity to gain.

As the doors close at ArvinMeritor and the union workers go about their way,
Looking back at the memories created and shared, we remember those wonderful days.

When we were once a group of workers that took pride in what we made,
We pray the future will bless us all and our friendship is as strong as it is today.

The economy is dropping and the auto industry is not what it was yesterday,
They may send our jobs overseas, but as an American, our memories are here to stay.

E-mail your story, article or poem (400 words or less) to uawsolidarity@uaw.net; mail to Solidarity magazine, 8000 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48214 ATTN: WORKERS' WORDS; or fax to (313) 926-5120.

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