We can win jobs if we fight for them, autoworkers tell U.S. Social Forum

[Omaha Steve]

http://peoplesworld.org/we-can-win-jobs-if-we-fight-for-them-autoworkers-tell-u-s-social-forum/

by: John Wojcik June 24 2010



DETROIT - Just days after his election as the new president of the United Auto Workers, Bob King was at the U.S. Social Forum here with a message: "The UAW will, from here on out, speak up for and lead the fight for all workers, regardless of whether they are in unions."

The UAW aims to play a major role in the 2010 mid-term elections, King told the People's World on Wednesday after he sat in on a workshop his union ran about UAW campaigns to stop plant closings.

"We are going to work very hard for pro-labor and progressive candidates," he said, "and we will give voice to the real concerns of working people who want jobs, income and economic justice. People will respond to this because they need these things much more than they need anything that the Tea Party has to offer."

Scott Bean, assistant director of the UAW's Solidarity House here, cited the union's struggle to save and organize the former NUMMI plant in Fremont, Calif. ,as an example of the direction in which he said the UAW and the labor movement as a whole should be moving.

The unionized California plant was, on paper at least, jointly operated by GM and Toyota, with Toyota actually in control of 85 percent to 90 percent of the operation. Toyota decided two years ago to move Corolla production from Fremont to Mississsippi and close its Fremont plant altogether.

Some participants at the Social Forum workshop asked why the union was discussing a plant in California while Detroit itself is reeling from layoffs and joblessness.

FULL story at link.

[SocialistLez]

1. I can't believe someone unrecced this.

Thank you for posting this article.

[NNN0LHI]

2. Recommended

[Greyhound]

3. Good news...

if it happens...

"Ignore what they say, watch what they do".