Lansing, MI – Teamsters in Lansing and Detroit conducted practice pickets at UPS centers on Friday, June 30. Members marched, held signs and chanted, putting pressure on the company to present a last, best and final offer. These pickets come days after the National Negotiating Committee issued a 48-hour deadline for UPS to issue such an offer. In a June 28 press release, General President Sean O’Brien said, “The largest single-employer strike in American history now appears inevitable.” Later that day, the company softened its bargaining stance and the deadline was extended to July 5.

At the Lansing location, picketing workers marched in the lawn in front of the building, waving signs and soliciting honks from passing vehicles. Among the demands on the signs were better part-time wages, improved pensions, an end to harassment and excessive overtime, and recognizing MLK Day and Juneteenth in the contract. Lori Yancey, a participant and member of Teamsters Local 243, said she wanted to convey to the company that “we are all human, and want to be treated with human respect.”

Meanwhile, at the Cicotte location, workers were carrying signs reading “Just practicing for a just contract” and practiced chanting. Around 50 people participated in the picketing. Thomas Moran, a rank-and-file member of Local 243 who organized the picket, said, “I wanted to organize the practice picket because it seemed like it wouldn't happen otherwise. We ended up having a really good turnout thanks to my steward getting the word out, and it was a galvanizing experience for people,” adding, “People told me they had a really good feeling walking into work afterward.”

With regard to the importance of these pickets, Moran added, “After just a few days of practice picketing around the country, the company has already softened their stance on wanting a 'cost neutral' contract. I think they are starting to take our strike threat a bit more seriously.”

The current UPS contract expires on July 31. Sean O'Brien has stated that the current agreement will not be extended, and unless an agreement is in place on August 1 the Teamsters will go out on strike.

#LansingMI #Teamsters

Lansing, MI – As UPS moves out from its peak season, the company is ending market rate adjustments (MRAs) and bonus programs designed to attract workers and boost part-time employees’ pay. The negotiated part-time pay rate for workers hired since August 1, 2018 is $15.33 per hour, with a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) included. Teamsters Local 623 reports that UPS paid its members $19 an hour as part of an MRA and the workers are taking a 27% pay cut as the adjustments expire.

While higher pay is a good thing, these MRAs and similar weekly attendance bonus programs have had a divisive effect on workers and have pitted new hires and higher seniority workers against each other. The wage scale in the contract represents a minimum amount a worker can be paid. However, when an MRA is in effect the new hires can make the same or very close to the same as the high seniority workers.

In centers where attendance bonuses were given by the employer, they were not given evenly. In Local 243, for example, bonuses were only given to workers hired after May 1, 2021. Matt Hermann, a member from Local 243 in Madison Heights, Michigan said of the bonus, “They’re basically telling me my labor is worth less than the new person.” Don LePard, another member of Local 243 from Lansing, Michigan described the bonuses as “a double-edge sword,” elaborating, “If they don’t do anything for the long-term employees, it’s not going to go over well.”

As the MRAs end, the UPS workers who are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are not accepting these wage cuts without a fight. The Teamsters Joint Council 7, Local 553, Local 315 and Local 623, among others, have held rallies, petition drives, and parking lot meetings to organize members around the issue. Matt Hermann has gone as far as filing labor charges against the company over unequal implementation of bonuses.

The incoming administration, the O’Brien-Zuckerman slate, released a statement on their Facebook page calling for UPS to reinstate the MRA pay rates and stated they would fight for higher part-time wages at the bargaining table.

The pay cuts – in the form of ending the MRAs – are being announced at the same time that UPS reports $10.9 billion in profits for 2021, beating what had the previous record profits they made in 2020. Stephanie Shiver, a member of Local 767 from Mesquite, Texas, said, “The MRAs and bonus programs are definite proof part-timers got low-balled in 2018. We deserve better wages, and we need better wages to survive. We must fight for them in 2023 so that we don’t rely on the ‘kindness’ of this company to maintain them.”

#LansingMI #Teamsters #UPS #TeamstersLocal623 #marketRateAdjustmentsMRAs

Lansing, MI – 120 protesters rallied for Palestine at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. After handing out flags, signs and water, the crowd gathered on the capitol steps to hear from the organizers and to chant, “Free, free Palestine!”

The spirited crowed then took to the streets and marched through Lansing chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “Gaza, Gaza, don't you cry, Palestine will never die!”

Many cars honked their horns in support and Black residents came out of their homes to raise a fist and cheer. A few local people even joined the march.

“Hey Biden you should know. Israel has got to go! Hey Biden you will see. Palestine will be free!” was the chant as protesters arrived at the office of U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, of Michigan’s 8th congressional district – a former CIA analyst. Outside a six-story office building, the protesters demanded Slotkin co-sponsor a modest reform, House Resolution 2590, which would put conditions on U.S. aid to Israel.

Outside Slotkin's office, several speakers took to a microphone, including Hannine Aqel, who spoke about the suffering of her cousins in Palestine. Next was Sam Burton, who spoke about the rapidly expanding solidarity of young American Jews with Palestine. The final speaker was Alex Sahouri, who expressed support for the armed Palestinian resistance and criticized Israel for air strikes in the densely populated Gaza strip.

After the speeches, protesters lined up along the road, chanting and soliciting support from passing cars. After an hour, they marched back to the Michigan Capitol Building.

The next “Free Palestine! From the River to the Sea!” rally is Sunday, June 13 at 4 p.m. in Grand Rapids at Veteran's Park, near the intersection of Fulton Avenue and Division Street.

#LansingMI #Palestine #PeoplesStruggles #FreePalestine #MiddleEast

Lansing, MI – 120 protesters rallied for Palestine at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. After handing out flags, signs and water, the crowd gathered on the capitol steps to hear from the organizers and to chant, “Free, free Palestine!”

The spirited crowed then took to the streets and marched through Lansing chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “Gaza, Gaza, don't you cry, Palestine will never die!”

Many cars honked their horns in support and Black residents came out of their homes to raise a fist and cheer. A few local people even joined the march.

“Hey Biden you should know. Israel has got to go! Hey Biden you will see. Palestine will be free!” was the chant as protesters arrived at the office of U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, of Michigan’s 8th congressional district – a former CIA analyst. Outside a six-story office building, the protesters demanded Slotkin co-sponsor a modest reform, House Resolution 2590, which would put conditions on U.S. aid to Israel.

Outside Slotkin's office, several speakers took to a microphone, including Hannine Aqel, who spoke about the suffering of her cousins in Palestine. Next was Sam Burton, who spoke about the rapidly expanding solidarity of young American Jews with Palestine. The final speaker was Alex Sahouri, who expressed support for the armed Palestinian resistance and criticized Israel for air strikes in the densely populated Gaza strip.

After the speeches, protesters lined up along the road, chanting and soliciting support from passing cars. After an hour, they marched back to the Michigan Capitol Building.

The next “Free Palestine! From the River to the Sea!” rally is Sunday, June 13 at 4 p.m. in Grand Rapids at Veteran's Park, near the intersection of Fulton Avenue and Division Street.

#LansingMI #Palestine #PeoplesStruggles #FreePalestine #MiddleEast

Lansing, MI – On Saturday, March 20, hundreds of protesters gathered in southwest Lansing to unite against police crimes, eviction, ICE detention centers, military intervention and capitalism. 17 groups hosted the event in Risdale Park.

The overarching theme of protest speakers was that workers and oppressed people’s struggles are united. The speaker from Movimiento Cosecha, Soleada Pauli, stated, “We used to say, ‘your struggle is my struggle,’” adding, “It’s our struggle. Workers against this capitalist, patriarchal, racist system.”

This attitude of collective struggle was echoed by Tristan Taylor of Detroit Will Breathe, who said, “We cannot substitute ourselves for the masses. We have to understand that our job is to fight alongside people, not on their behalf.”

The protesters took to the street after the speakers concluded, marching through and leafleting in working-class neighborhoods in southwest Lansing. The protesters stopped at the intersection of Jolly Road and Martin Luther King Boulevard before returning to Risdale Park. Several groups announced upcoming marches and protests.

#LansingMI #PeoplesMarch

Lansing, MI – A group of 40 stagehands from across Michigan gathered at the State Capitol building in Lansing, March 17. The IATSE union stagehands are marking one year without work and demanding the extension of unemployment benefits until it is safe to return to their jobs.

One of their issues is that Michigan law makers need to restore 26 weeks of unemployment, after it was cut down to 20 weeks when Republican Governor Snyder was in office. The amounts paid for unemployment also need to increase dramatically as they have been frozen for years.

Stagehands were forced on unemployment in March 2020, similar to hotel and restaurant employees, gig workers, artists and performers. Many attended “Push for $600” unemployment rallies during the summer and fall.

“The pandemic has cost us loved ones and livelihoods. Unemployment checks are the only thing keeping a roof over our heads and food on our plates,” said Jessica Westra, IATSE Local 26 President.

She continued, “Unemployment payments boost the economy. People need to pay for food. People need to pay for healthcare. They need to pay their rent, their mortgage, and their taxes. People can’t save for the future if they are barely able to survive the present.”

“My union has kept me insured, my union has kept our workplaces safe, my union has lived up to its obligation to protect its membership. We need our legislature to live up to its obligation to protect its citizens,” Westra explained.

Members from five or more different IATSE locals around Michigan gathered for speeches covering Michigan film tax credits, the details of the American Rescue Plan like the $1400 checks, and solidarity with Amazon workers forming a union in Alabama.

Stagehands make possible mass gatherings, political rallies, culture, songs and performances that express people’s humanity, give joy and excitement, and lift peoples spirits. They are fully behind the CDC guidelines and the organized push for vaccinations against COVID-19 so they can return to work where large crowds gather.

Stagehands are also demanding Michigan legislators fund unemployment by continuing employer contributions, instead of using taxpayer money. They want Governor Whitmer to hold the line and not allow Republican kickbacks for employers. Republicans are holding back federal monies to try and force Governor Whitmer to relinquish her powers.

#LansingMI #CapitalismAndEconomy #PeoplesStruggles #IATSE

Lansing, MI – 120 union members and supporters marched through downtown Lansing, July 15, chanting, “They say cut back! We say fight back!” The march stopped at a union worker statue where Nick Eaton of IATSE Local 247 spoke, “This statue represents the workers who built the new buildings you see in front of you. It also reflects the history of factory workers before deindustrialization left ugly scenes and empty lots, like many cities in the Midwest.”

The marchers returned to the State Capitol building chanting about unemployment, “Extend to the end!” and “HEROES Act now!” Josh Roskamp with IATSE Local 26 explained, “The hundreds of post cards addressed to Republican Senator Mitch McConnell will send a message that we need the $600. We can’t wait for it to run out. We need every person at this rally to organize small groups to visit politicians at their offices to talk about unemployment and the HEROES Act!”

Pete Vargas with the Restaurant Opportunities Center spoke at the rally, “Many of our food service workers live on tips, and are low wage at $3.25 per hour. For those who applied, many of them women and immigrants, they only make $126 a week for unemployment. It is just totally unacceptable. We support the expansion on both the state level and federal level.”

Nia Winston, president of UNITE HERE Local 24 covering Michigan and Ohio, opened with the crowd chanting, “No justice! No peace!” Winston spoke passionately, “All of us have been essential for a long ass time, but nobody recognized that until now.” She then told the story of a McLaren Hospital porter forced to wear a plastic trash bag for PPE during the COVID-19 crisis. Other workers had to beg for masks while the McLaren Health Care Corporation continued to roll in the profits.

Speaking to the unemployment need, Winston said, “For UNITE HERE union, 98% of our members are on furlough. If Congress and the Senate does not pass the HEROES Act now, unfortunately we will have members with serious medical conditions who will lose their health care.”

She finished by saying, “Who the hell can live off of $300 per week unemployment? Extend the HEROES Act to the end! My plea is to the Senate to pass the HEROES Act now. Do your damn job!”

The rally also featured a leading group of IATSE union stagehands Walter Shink, Lindsey Katerberg, Joe Miller, Tom Rivera and Josh Roskamp. IATSE members work in Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.

Anne Brown spoke for U.S. Congressperson Elissa Slotkin of the 8th District on the topic, “What is the HEROES Act and what to expect?” She finished with a call and response, “When we fight! We win!”

Importantly, Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO spoke about workers being sick, and the people he knows who died. Bieber explained, “Dumbass Donald Trump has failed to have a coordinated federal response, to this day, after all the pain and all the deaths in this country. He continues to downplay the seriousness of the virus; after all we have been through.”

Bieber continued, “You cannot fix this economic crisis until you fix the health crisis. Get your ass to work fixing that, Donald.”

Josh Roskamp closed the rally by responding to Presidential Advisor Ivana Trump’s “Find something new” statement last week. Roskamp said, “Do we really want to be competing for everybody else’s job? Do we really need to run down all our wages?”

U.S. unemployment rose by 1.8 million workers this past week. Officially there are 33 million unemployed, including 2 million in the entertainment industry.

#LansingMI #CapitalismAndEconomy #PoorPeoplesMovements #Unemployment #PeoplesStruggles #AFLCIO #IATSE #HEROSACT

After a spoken word performance and moment of silence for victims of racist violence, One Love Global CEO and Black Lives Matter-Lansing cofounder Angela Waters Austin spoke with panelists from the Ingham County Health Department about public health deficits experienced by African Americans and other oppressed nationalities and about the rise of white supremacy.

The panelists from the Ingham County Health Department were Deputy Health Officer Debbie Edokpolo, Health Officer Linda Vail, and Medical Director Dr. Adenike “Nike” Shoyinka. Ingham County Commissioner Derrell Slaughter also spoke on the panel.

Vail, acting in what she called an “advisory” capacity, said, “I call on [the Ingham County Board of Commissioners] to formally adopt my resolution: The declaration of racism as a public health emergency in Ingham County, and to do so as quickly and expeditiously as possible.” Commissioner Slaughter answered her call by stating he would do everything he could to encourage his colleagues to adopt the resolution, and promised: “We are working on that, 100% we are gonna pass that.”

Dr. Shoyinka then discussed the resolution in the context of a growing national movement to classify racism as a public health crisis. Dr. Shoyinka explained, “So poor health is a byproduct of racism. Morbidity and mortality is a byproduct of racism. I see this all the time when I see patients…We see this in almost every public health measure that we use. Black people are just disproportionately affected.”

Among these measures, she lists infant and maternal mortality, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and COVID-19. She concluded with a call to action, “We need to name racism for what it is – it’s a disease in and of itself. And we need to address it as such. We are in a crisis and this needs to be addressed with urgency, to have a lasting solution.” Deputy Health Officer Edokpolo concluded the panel in agreement, vowing “We will not go back to business as normal.”

In the second segment of the event, included firefighter (and the host of the program Merica 20 to Life) Michael Lynn, and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor to discuss policing and racism in the city. The discussion started with Lynn critiquing the city budget for the low spending on community programs and for 21% spending on policing. He also criticized placement of police officers in schools. Lynn ultimately called for a divestment of funds away from the police department and investment in community structures and also challenged the mayor on statements made about the Lansing School District and a diversity task force.

Mayor Schor initially responded by affirming his opposition to discrimination and police brutality, but quickly became defensive when Lynn interjected to ask a question to guide discussion toward policing of teenagers. Schor indicated a number of training, transparency and community policing initiatives before he finally invited Lynn to attend budget hearings. When pressed again on divestment of funds, Schor began to list off programs and their purpose and began to defend the police force and its diversity. Lynn once again interjected to discuss over-policing and harassment of Black youth in his community.

At that point, the panelists became more openly argumentative and began talking concurrently, and Lynn accused Schor of not listening to the community and making decisions they oppose. Eventually, the panelists got into a back-and-forth on first responder demographics. This prompted One Love Global Director of Transformational Leadership, Sean Holland, to interrupt and give the floor to Angela Austin, who had raised her hand.

Austin started her discussion by laying out a year’s worth of actions the city had taken against Black community organizations. Schor attempted to interrupt, but was stopped by Austin, who eventually asked, “I know you feel ambushed right now, don’t you?” Schor affirmed, “I sure do.”

Austin then replied, in reference to the events of May 31, when police fired tear gas into a protest near the capitol, stating, “Well imagine how those Black kids felt, when you left them out in the street. When you knew what was coming, and you left them. You left them, and you knew you could have protected them. You called the pastors, but you didn’t call the parents. You didn’t alert the community. You didn’t get on your technology to alert the community what was coming. And I am right now calling for your resignation.”

Before the panel closed, Austin once again asked Schor if he would resign, to which he replied that he was “not planning to resign right now.”

#LansingMI #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd

Lansing, MI – UPS announced first quarter profits of $965 million. The profits are down only slightly from last year’s $1.1 billion, despite the closure of many commercial businesses. UPS has filled this commercial business shortfall with an increase in residential delivery, causing long hours of work for package car drivers.

The concessionary Teamster mis-leadership has declared that they will not seek hazard pay from UPS. They are instead operating on the logic that the union must cooperate with and concede to the company to maintain operations.

In early March, before the U.S. government had taken much action against the coronavirus, UPS’ CFO Brian Newmann was quoted in Reuters, saying “Our planes are flying in and out of China right now...I think we’re trying to position ourselves to take advantage of some pent-up demand.” Even outside of UPS, the investment class is openly positioning to profit off of UPS during the pandemic. Writing for InvestorPlace Media, Chartered Financial Analyst Mark Hake characterizes coronavirus as delivering a “discount” on UPS stock and advises “UPS stock looks attractive. Its present price already discounts a lot of bad news.”

Rank-and-file members are not backing down from a fight. Breaking with the Hoffa administration, members have been circulating several petitions for hazard pay from the company. In addition, as reported in Fight Back! Teamsters in Tampa, Florida have started a campaign to demand hazard pay.

Outside of UPS, hazard pay has been offered by many retail and grocery companies, including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Costco, Sprouts, and Kroger, according to the Los Angeles Times. Even within the logistics industry, Amazon has increased overtime pay for warehouse workers. UPS is taking advantage of the pandemic and profit massively at the expense of the workers’ safety.

Teamsters can sign the petition for UPS hazard pay here: Hazard Pay Petition

#LansingMI #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #UnitedParcelService #COVID19 #HazardPay

Lansing, MI – In the April 13 edition of USA Today, Teamster head James P. Hoffa and three other labor leaders signed an outrageous letter entitled “Coronavirus is a stress test for capitalism, and we see encouraging signs.” The article fawned over the same companies that rank-and-file Teamsters across the country are fighting every day. It was especially outrageous given that Teamsters in many industries still lack appropriate PPE, sanitary working conditions, information and hazard pay.

Peppered throughout the article are silly platitudes about “well-managed companies with established relationships to workers,” “companies are preparing to lead the recovery,” and, “We look forward to sitting down with the nation’s business leaders...to hammer out agreements that will restore profits as we emerge from this crisis.” The article states that UPS is part of a “pattern of respect and recognition.” Everyone who works there knows that’s a lie.

Hoffa and his cohorts talk tough about the state of corporate America, but he quickly dives into heaping praise onto Teamster-organized companies and patting himself on the back. He distinguishes vulture capitalists from companies who “doing the right thing,” but that distinction is meaningless when the bar is so low there are almost no standards at all. He praises UPS for giving two weeks of emergency paid time off to workers (under very narrow conditions), while UPS workers still have no hazard pay and low access to PPE and cleaning supplies. At UPS there is very little transparency from the company when workers have been exposed to the virus. Is this what Hoffa calls a win? What a joke.

Invoking forces beyond the labor movement, the Hoffa article says, “Consumers will take note of which companies stood up to lessen the impact of the crisis,” and, “voters will take note of elected officials who looked the other way.” Hoffa and company make no mention of workers resisting. He makes no mention of walk-offs or media campaigns that have won protections.

While workers continue to fight for and demand safe conditions and hazard pay, Hoffa is gloating over the generosity of the corporations that are resisting these workers’ demands.

Hoffa is an out-of-touch voice for a brand of ‘labor management cooperation’ that never fails to disappoint. The message to rank-and-file members is clear. The Hoffa administration won’t fight the company, they will only collaborate with them at the expense of the workers. At a time of unprecedented inequality, what we need is labor union militancy and a serious fight for all we need and deserve.

#LansingMI #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #UPS

Across the nation, workers are disturbed by the delayed and superficial response by the company. “Nothing has changed. Inside, in the small sort and the unload where I worked until I got sick, work was much as normal: multiple people working within a few feet from each other like nothing had changed,” states Stephanie Shiver, package handler from the Mesquite, Texas hub.

Many fear for their safety and what that added danger means for their families and communities. Many Teamsters express anxiety every day they go to work, fearing they will catch COVID-19 and unknowingly spread it to coworkers and customers. Lack of gloves, hand sanitizer, masks and basic hand soap are among the most common issues. Workers report crowded areas during work hours, even after social distancing orders went into place.

In cases where a worker is quarantined for suspected COVID-19 infection, other workers who may have been exposed are kept in the dark. Curt Siekert, a freight worker from South Holland, Illinois, explains, “I'm deeply troubled by the lack of transparency in the death reported out of Louisville. I believe that we have a right to know if coworkers have tested positive and it feels like they won't tell us. Our freight hub in South Holland, Illinois has a number of supervisors out and no information has been given – that I'm aware of. It's kinda scary.”

While UPS assures the public about safety measures they have taken for their workers, workers on the ground are telling a very different story. The specifics vary in detail from hub to hub, but one thing the reports have in common is this: UPS is not doing enough to keep the workers as safe as possible.

#LansingMI #US #Healthcare #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #UPS #DonaldTrump #COVID19

The company has provided narrowly defined paid sick leave, but for workers who don’t qualify, the one-punch rule forces them to go to work despite the risk it poses to themselves and their communities. The one-punch rule requires workers to punch in at least one day per week or else lose their health coverage for that week.

Teamsters are responding by organizing petitions online to try and pressure the company into taking measures that protect workers and the communities they deliver to. For example, Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) has a petition demanding that UPS follow CDC guidelines. Another petition demands hazard pay for workers during the pandemic. Teamsters Joint Council 10, New England, has sent a letter of demands to Congress pressing for funds for workers who are laid off and health coverage while they are out of work. So far, Teamsters have won the following concessions from UPS:

-- 2 weeks of paid time off if diagnosed with COVID-19, or if quarantined due to travel or family member illness. -- Health and Welfare and Pension contributions for this time. -- Repopulation of paid time off for workers who elect to self-quarantine, if they are later diagnosed. -- Days missed for employees impacted by the virus will not count toward attendance infractions. -- Not requiring signatures during delivery to minimize contact between drivers and the public.

However, these wins are not enough. Our immediate demands are: hazard pay for essential workers who are put to work during the pandemic; thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the workplace and equipment; masks, gloves, sanitizer and bottles of water provided for all employees, as well conditions which allow inside workers to maintain six to ten feet of distance from each other.

Workers are assuming all the physical risk of keeping society functioning, and no worker should have to foot the bill through this unprecedented national crisis.

#LansingMI #Healthcare #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #UPS #COVID19

Lansing, Michigan – The United Auto Workers (UAW) called a strike on Sunday, September 15. Fight Back! interviewed Jean “Johnny Bravo” Duchemin, an alternate committee member in UAW Local 1753 in Lansing, Michigan about the GM strike.

Fight Back!: How do you see the strike fitting into the broader labor movement and the current political climate?

Jean “Johnny Bravo” Duchemin: That one, I had to take time to think about that one. When it comes to the political climate and the labor movement, the labor movement in this country has been died out. A lot of people are uneducated. So, since the last major strike, and the last major movement, it’s been stagnant. Stagnated. So you have a whole generation of 30 years that hasn’t been educated on unions or any other kind of labor force movement. So they are unaware of the importance of the union, so now in today’s political climate it is extremely important, I feel, because... Let me think for a second. I don’t want to give a wrong answer here. So in today’s world we are under severe attack. We have the Right to Work law, which absolutely makes no sense, it just doesn’t make sense. Everyone has the right to work, but they don’t deserve union representation without paying for it. So laws like that, those are straight up union busting, and we’re under attack with these politicians. And so today our movement I believe is super important because it will, if we become victorious over this, I believe that other unions will fall in and stand up instead of accepting what the corporations offer them. That’s the word on the street that you hear. Because we get a lot of people yelling at us every day, “Just be grateful for what they give you,” “Just be grateful for the paycheck.” They don’t really understand the “why” we’re going on strike, why a movement like this is important.

Fight Back!: How many workers is this affecting?

Duchemin: GM employees [are] 49,800 and change, but on top of that 49,000 you have all the other plants actually feed parts, and then you have Canada and Mexico. The plants can’t function without us. So this is actually affecting more than half a million people currently, and now if we stay on strike for another two weeks then we’re looking at maybe 2.5 million people being affected by this. GM right now is leading, it’s leading this.

A lot of people have been accepting lower wages and, you’ve seen it, you got your corporation’s CEOs getting 300-350 times more than the current employee, but the employee doesn’t know that they can actually negotiate and get more money, and then we can burn down that big gap in the middle. So our job as unions, as union members and union representatives, is to agitate, educate and get the community to participate, that’s the main three roles of any union member.

Throughout the past two years I’ve been trying my best to educate everybody, get them prepared for something like this, and they just think you’re crazy ‘cause again we’re in a generation that is uneducated about this and the media’s been raising everybody so they have mixed views. But now they can honestly see that the company gives you nothing. Nothing. Everything that a union has, has been negotiated. The wages, every single entitlement we have, GM gave us none of that. It all has been negotiated. So I feel that when this is said and done, and we all go back to work, at least the UAW will be stronger. And Ford and Chrysler, they’re going to follow suit. But hopefully, other unions outside the auto industry pay attention and stand up.

I try to tell my plant all the time when they say, “The union ain’t fighting for us, the union’s not doing this,” I have to really insist that they themselves are the union. The leaders are elected, they can be unelected, but you guys are the union, and when you all come in numbers you can actually change who’s in the leadership, and you can actually change policies.

Fight Back!: In general what do you hope comes out of the strike, both within and outside of the union?

Duchemin: I hope what comes out of this strike is a message to working class Americans that you don’t have to accept what the company gives you. You don’t have to accept, because they’re going to try all the fear tactics. “You trying to get higher wages? We’re going to have to close down. You want better healthcare? We’re not going to be able to afford your wages.” That’s all bullshit! Excuse my language. They’re fear tactics, so hopefully they can see us stand tall between all the GM threats that are coming out. They can take our healthcare, they can lock us out, they can lock us up, but if we stay strong and everybody stays strong, you’ll get what you want, as long as we don’t accept what they give us.

#LansingMichigan #LansingMI #SpecialCoverage #PeoplesStruggles #AFLCIO #AutoworkersFightBack #UnitedAutoWorkers #Strikes #2019UAWGMStrike #UAWLocal1753

Lansing, MI – Upwards of 10,000 union workers and their supporters rallied outside the Michigan State Capitol today, Dec. 11, chanting, “Kill the bill!” People of all ages rallied, from Vietnam Vets to high school students. The United Auto Workers, Michigan Teachers Union, government workers with AFSCME and AFGE, construction, fire fighters and other unions joined together to oppose so-called ‘right to work’ bills.

Michigan Republicans caught Democratic legislators sleeping on the job, and launched a surprise campaign, speeding the ‘right to work’ bills through the House. The vote by Michigan legislators to hamper government unions passed 58 votes to 51. A second bill affecting the private sector, like auto plants, passed 58-52. It allows workers to opt out of paying dues to the union, while benefiting from a union contract. It is a step by Republican politicians aimed at destroying unions altogether.

Now the bills go to Governor Rick Snyder, who promised to sign them, reversing his earlier position. Snyder, a Republican, campaigned for governor presenting himself as “the Nerd”, but once in office ran a far-right agenda benefiting the wealthy and corporations. When the bill passed the House, demonstrators chanted, “Don’t sign it!” both inside and outside the Michigan capitol building.

The governor called out riot police, including riot-clad horses. Former Congressman Mark Schauer of Michigan and other union members were pepper sprayed by police as they attempted to negotiate a path to move away from the capitol building. Then around noon, union rank and file members knocked down a large tent belonging to a handful of anti-union types. The union members reportedly told the misnamed Americans for Progress that today was the union members’ day to protest and chased the corporate toadies away after a few scuffles. Police moved in to try to protect the corporate funded anti-union activists, but arrived too late.

Unions mobilized broadly across Michigan for today’s protest, including unions arriving from the state’s Upper Peninsula. Labor activists also came from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio in solidarity. The union leaders’ message is “strong unions mean a better life for all working people.” In states with ‘right to work’ laws, wages and benefits are amongst the lowest in the country. The battle is going to heat up again prior to Governor Snyder signing the bills into law. Jesse Jackson arrived in the afternoon and, using the people’s mic, called for a one-day general strike.

#LansingMI #StateRepression #rightToWork #GovernorRickSnyder #antiunionBusting

The purpose of ‘right to work’ legislation is union busting. These laws mean that workers who benefit from union representation do not have to pay union dues. States that have passed these laws have seen wages go down, along with union power. If Michigan Republicans are able to get by with this attack, it will be a setback for workers everywhere.

Michigan Republicans fear another Wisconsin, where there was a massive and heroic fightback against the union busting plans of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. So Michigan Republicans launched a surprise attack during a lame duck secession of the legislature. They kept things quiet. They did not hold hearings where the public could state our opinions – they just rammed the bill through.

When the labor movement got wind of their plans and converged on the State Capitol last week, the answer was repression. Protesters in front of the Senate Chambers were maced, some were arrested and the Capitol building was put on lockdown to keep protesters out.

As things stand now, the legislature is set to reconvene on Tuesday, Dec.11. Republican politicians will have to reconcile the differences between the ‘right to work’ for less bills passed in the House and Senate. The Senate bill also covers state workers. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder says he will sign the ‘right to work’ for less law.

It is vital that workers mobilize now to stop this attack. Every worker who can go to Lansing should go. Michigan workers have a proud history of struggle. We need that militancy now.

Protest in Lansing, Michigan, Tuesday, Dec. 11. Stop the so-called ‘right to work’ bill!

#LansingMI #rightToWork #GovernorRickSnyder #antiunionBusting

Lansing, MI – Nearly 200 protesters rallied here July 25. They stood for three hours on the steps of the Michigan “Hall of Justice,” to demand an end to Governor Rick Snyder’s use of Emergency Financial Managers (EFM).

The EFM law is a new dictatorial method used by Governor Snyder to impose cutbacks and privatization, as well as violate the local autonomy of elected officials. Snyder, a Republican who campaigned as “the Nerd,” presented himself as likeable and harmless, but he quickly went to work cutting funding, suspending elected officials and taking over school boards and local governments using unelected state appointed Emergency Financial Managers.

As protesters made speeches outside, the Michigan Supreme Court heard the case about an upcoming ballot initiative to do away with Emergency Financial Managers. Over 200,000 signatures were collected on petitions to put the EFM on the ballot for voters to decide in November. Instead of allowing a vote, the ballot to end EFM is being dragged through the courts by Republicans. The Sterling Corporation, which runs a group called Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility is trying to kill, or at least delay, the EFM ballot initiative in court by claiming the font size on the titles of the petitions was too small. In Michigan, this is what ‘democracy’ looks like. The Stand Up for Democracy coalition, which collected the petitions, is forced to eat up time and money in court, instead of campaigning for public support.

Speaking at the rally, Councilman Kermit Williams of Pontiac said, “Governor Snyder’s Public Act Four is not an act for the public, but an act for the corporations.” He added, “The EFM has more power than a governor. They can come in to local government and do what they want. The government has failed us today!”

Led by preachers, the crowd chanted, “Put it on the ballot. Let me vote!” and “The judges don’t decide. We decide!” Speaker after speaker representing African-American activist groups, local government officials and important unions were present: Black Women’s Political Caucus of Muskegon, AFSCME Council 25, UAW Local 6000, National Action Network of Detroit, the Reverend Pinkney of Benton Harbor with the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO), Lansing Occupy and the Left Forum of Grand Rapids.

Pat Driscoll, a worker and member of United Steel Workers Local 1299, was in the courtroom with 60 or more people seeking a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court. Coming out of the court, Driscoll said, “They need to let the people vote. These big business types are using technicalities and maneuvers to keep this off the ballot. The Emergency Financial Managers are used to cut public services and break union contracts. It is all to protect the banks’ money after the big bank bailouts, and now the government is selling off assets for bargain prices, privatizing and forcing concessions on workers.” Later Driscoll added, “It is racist too, they are targeting majority African-American areas to start with.”

The Supreme Court is not likely to announce a decision until the end of August, delaying the ballot initiative another six weeks. When the referendum is put on the ballot, the EFM law is automatically suspended until the November vote. There are seven cities and/or school districts with EFM’s: Flint, Pontiac, Ecorse, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Muskegon Heights and Highland Park. The gains of the civil rights movement are being turned back in Michigan.

#LansingMI #privatization #Racism #bugdgetCuts #GovernorRickSnyder

Lansing, MI – Taking their lead from Wisconsin, 1200 protesters rallied against attacks on unions and democracy at the Michigan State Capitol, Feb. 22. Union fire fighters were out in force and in uniform, carrying signs reading, “Support Act 312,” a 1969 law establishing binding arbitration. Binding arbitration requires towns and cities to work out their differences with the workers.

A Dearborn fire fighter said, “We are here to protect Act 312 and our bargaining rights. We want Governor Snyder and elected officials to work with us, not just impose cuts. 95% of contracts are settled without arbitration. The current system is fair and transparent, with 71% of arbitration rulings siding with city government and the remaining solved in a workable manner with our unions.” The firefighters unions represented came from Grand Rapids, Dearborn and Flint.

African-American elected officials spoke one after another about the loss of decision-making power due to Emergency Financial Managers (EFM) takeovers. The common refrain was, “Governor Snyder plans to replace democracy with tyranny.” Michigan State officials can appoint an EFM who bypasses local elected officials and makes all financial decisions.

In Michigan, like Wisconsin, politicians are refusing to raise taxes on the rich to pay for basic services and put an end to the financial crisis. The Republicans swept the recent elections and are launching Tea Party-inspired attacks on African-American cities and public sector unions – teachers, fire fighters, city services and all levels of government.

Many signs and chants reflected the anger at Emergency Financial Managers. An EFM has taken over and is dismantling the Detroit public school system. EFM Robert Bobb is cutting Detroit schools from 142 down to 72, cutting the number of teachers and increasing class sizes to up to 60 students. The school board and the teachers’ union are organizing to stop the gutting of public education.

Due to Governor Rick Snyder’s announcement that he is cutting revenue sharing with local governments, the working class suburb of Allen Park fired all 26 firefighters and employees this week. There is no backup plan.

A school bus driver told AFSCME Council 25 Secretary-Treasurer Larry Roehrig that her school district is going to hand over buses, equipment and drivers to a for-profit company so union members are no longer covered for health care and pensions. Roehrig replied, “We need to fight privatization with all the unions sticking together.” When asked how the attacks in Michigan compare to Wisconsin, AFSCME’s Roehrig replied, “Governor Snyder’s plans are more insidious because he can void collective bargaining on a case by case basis, voiding contracts at will. Snyder and the Republicans are well funded by big corporations in Western Michigan who are anti-labor.” It is no wonder that many speakers called Governor Snyder the “the newly elected Republican dictator.”

A movement appears to be rising quickly in Michigan as the attacks on labor and local democracy escalate from Governor Snyder and the State Capitol. More protest are planned.

#LansingMI #CapitalismAndEconomy #BudgetCuts #Wisconsin #GovernorSnyder #Act312