Workers protest at UAW headquarters over Orion plant agreement

[Cal Carpenter]

Source: Detroit Free Press

More than 100 UAW workers and retirees are gathered today in front of the union's Detroit headquarters to protest a new labor agreement adopted for General Motors' Orion assembly plant.

"I am hoping that they feel some type of embarrassment that we have to come out to Solidarity House in order for them to hear our message," said Nick Waun, who has worked for GM for four years.

The deal, which etablishes a second tier wage for 40% of the workers at the plant, was negotiated based on changes approved by members last year. However, the details of the deal were negotiated this year and workers are angry because they didn't have a chance to vote on it.

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"We must stay united together," Olen Ham, 93, who said he participated in sit down strikes in the 1930s, said in a speech to current members. "Don't back up again."

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20101016/BUSINESS01/101016054/1002/NLETTER01

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See below for pics

[Cal Carpenter]

1. PICS - Is my family 50% less valuable?

eta: Oooh these are still huge, i'll work on that..

[Cal Carpenter]

2. PICS - Kickin ass for the working class

[Lugnut]

3. K&R n/t

[readmoreoften]

4. A union is the people, not the union bureaucracy.

As a striker who was fucked over by the union bureaucracy, I know this first hand. Union democracy must be fought for within the unions.

[davidinalameda]

5. how could the contract be in effect if they didn't vote on it?

I'm confused on this point

[Cal Carpenter]

6. There was vague wording in the 2009 national contract

that referred to using 'innovative practices' to keep costs down/plants open (I don't know the exact wording - one of the signs above refers to it). The UAW is using that to approve these wage cuts without the workers getting a vote. Basically it's being used as a loophole, and the workers do not think this is valid, they are trying to remind the UAW who they are supposed to represent.

They also know that this is just the beginning, and if they get away with this at the Orion plant then everyone is at risk of losing wages.

[davidinalameda]

7. I see a lawsuit

[Omaha Steve]

8. The UAW contract is being used to reopen the plant to make the Aveo in the USA

I don't support the UAW on this. I back the workers too. K&R!

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hmJZz_Skr4ho8nshzG78r2pucZhwD9IN3TT01?docId=D9IN3TT01

(AP) – Oct 7, 2010

ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. — General Motors and the United Auto Workers have reached a cost-cutting deal that could help accomplish what once seemed impossible: Making a profit on small cars built in the United States.

The deal, announced Thursday, could cut in half the hourly wage of some longtime UAW workers at a factory in Orion Township, Mich. It's the first time the union has agreed to a pay cut for workers who are not new hires.

A revamped subcompact, the Chevrolet Aveo, will be built at the plant starting next year. The plant is currently closed.

Most other automakers, including GM's main rival Ford Motor Co., build subcompacts in Mexico or other countries with far lower labor costs. U.S.-based automakers have struggled for years to make money on small cars. Subcompacts generally start around $14,000, so they don't generate enough cash to cover the traditional UAW labor costs.

But Mark Reuss, GM's president for North America, said the company will make money on the Aveo. The UAW deal, he said, is one of many reasons why the small car will be profitable. Others include a highly efficient factory with new equipment, and help from state and local governments. GM also received tax incentives to build the cars in Michigan, but the company would not reveal the total value.

The factory will also produce a small Buick sedan called the Verano. Because the Buick is an upscale version of the Chevrolet Cruze, it will fetch a higher price. The Cruze, which is just reaching showrooms, starts around $17,000.

FULL story at link.

[Hannah Bell]

11. the leadership of the international apparently drive lexuses. check out the comments

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=102&topic_id=4577492&mesg_id=4577704

"Yea, that ahole in the black lexus had some balls pulling out of the gate with all of us standing there! I was behind some people when I saw the front of the car, I thought I was seeing things. Wish I had a brick right about then. Well, that 3% raise is going to good use I guess."

[saigon68]

12. The "workers" wont make enough to buy what they make

Kind of like "Mexico" or some other 3rd world shit country

[unkachuck]

9. "...a second tier wage for 40% of the workers..."

....this flies in the face of everything Union....unequal pay for equal work?....bullshit, how many different bargaining units are there going to be?....ten, one hundred, a thousand?....this is disgusting!

....workers real wages haven't gone up in this country for thirty years, so let's take more away from them?....crazy, and you call this, good Union?....looks more like the current crop of UAW leadership has been privatized....sad, very sad....

[Hannah Bell]

10. thanks for the pix, knr!