Cops arrive before union auto workers for Chrysler rally (The move will lay off about 2,400 people)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/785A10E14E51755F862574A500418FD5?OpenDocument

By Angela Tablac and Christopher Boyce
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/13/2008

AUBURN HILLS, MICH. -- A noticeable police presence was at the headquarters of Chrysler LLC this morning where St. Louis area union auto workers are expected to rally today.

Their message for the automaker’s executives is simple: Save the St. Louis-area assembly plants and keep production in the United States.

About 6:45 a.m. (7:45 a.m. eastern time), police roped off the path between the Chrysler building and a lawn across the street with yellow police tape that says: "Police line do not cross." It is where the union workers from St. Louis are supposed to gather.

The "Made in the U.S.A." message has been trumpeted by the UAW for decades, but for local workers, it’s one that seems even more critical now as Chrysler plans to consolidate its minivan production to a plant in Canada.

About six weeks ago, Chrysler announced plans to idle indefinitely its minivan plant in Fenton and slim the number of shifts at its neighboring Ram pickup plant from two to one. The move will lay off about 2,400 people.

Analysts expect Chrysler to permanently close the minivan plant, while the shift reduction puts the pickup plant in a precarious position.

To rally against these changes, about 500 people -- mostly minivan plant workers -- traveled to Auburn Hills Wednesday night and plan to organize near the Chrysler offices this morning.

Workers from the pickup plant in Fenton; from UAW Local 1760 in Pacific, which represents members who make seats and dashboards for the minivans; from UAW Local 282 in Hazelwood, which represents workers who make vehicle seats; and from other auto unions also are expected to join the demonstration.

"It’s time for (Chrysler executives) to see some of the folks that are losing their jobs due to their decision," said Joe Shields, president of UAW Local 110, which represents workers at the South Assembly Plant where the Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Caravan cargo van and an export version of the Chrysler Town & Country are made.

Before they boarded nine charter buses and personal cars for the nearly 600-mile trek to Michigan, workers rallied outside the minivan plant.

Among those travelling was Bryan Evans, 48, of St. Peters. He’s also bringing his twin daughters, 6, and son, 4, on the trip.

"It’s about me taking care of my family. This is what life is all about," said Evans, who has spent 25 years at the plant. "This is a wonderful country we have, we just need to start protecting it more."

FULL story at link.

[madrchsod]

1. one of the products that saved Chrysler is now closing

the american plant and shifting what ever production to canada....dam i`ve owned 5 "american made" dodge minivans.

[DainBramaged]

2. They have been shopping their 'excess' production around to the Japanese

but the Japanese want them to close these plants so that the Japanese can hire non-UAW workers at 1/3 the going wage and minimal benefits.

And people ask me why I despise the Japanese auto industry.