UAW Targets Toyota Dealers to Prod Automaker to Unionize

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/27/23/15.php

In his speech, United Auto Workers president Bob King says all members must support organizing efforts at the U.S. plants of Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen.

June 18, 2010
UAW Targets Toyota Dealers to Prod Automaker to Unionize

New United Auto Workers president Bob King said Thursday, June 17, that the union will picket Toyota dealers nationally and run a banner campaign at the stores to pressure Toyota Motor Corp. to allow the UAW to organize its U.S. manufacturing operations.

King, who succeeded Ron Gettelfinger this week, called on UAW members to “adopt” a Toyota dealer in their respective areas to picket.

Interviewed by Automotive News behind the convention stage following his inaugural speech at this year’s UAW national convention, King said Toyota brought on direct action by closing its NUMMI plant in Fremont, California—one of its best-quality plants.

“We’re going to show these corporations that if they are unjust to our members that they are going to pay a price,” King said. “It’s a better business decision to work with us than treat people unfairly.”

After the comments, King led convention participants, more than 1,000 people, on a march through downtown Detroit to protest excesses on Wall Street.

In his speech, King said all UAW members must support organizing efforts at the U.S. plants of Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen.

FULL story at link.