Background:
GM is trying to sell its indianapolis stamping plant to JD Norman Industries. The buyer, JD Norman (a 34-year-old former Morgan stockbroker) wants wages cut from $29/hr to $15/hr (for current workers, not new hires -- new hire rate is *already* $14/hr).
The 600-plus members of Local 23 have a contract that guarantees they can keep their current package until 2011 -- even if the plant is sold. Taking a 50% cut affects their retirements, their pay if they transfer to another plant, etc.
The new owner would prefer experienced workers man the plant, at least long enough to train replacements. HE JUST DOESN'T WANT TO PAY.
Accordingly, Local 23 voted overwhelmingly (406 out of 660 members voted, 384 voted "no" = 58% of all members voted "no") not to negotiate with JD Norman. At all.
But the top leadership of UAW International went behind their backs & continued to negotiate with Norman, then scheduled a new meeting/vote on short notice. Unfortunately, the membership showed up in force & booed them off the stage & out of the union hall.
But the International & Norman continued to insist that another vote must happen.
*****article****
The UAW and Norman, backed by the local media, are peddling the claim that only a “vocal minority” opposes the deal. They claim the majority of workers are being “intimidated” by these opponents who are not interested in keeping the plant open, but only in retaining their wages and benefits by transferring to other GM plants...
With the assistance of the UAW, Norman has sought to cultivate support from older workers nearing retirement and from temporary workers for whom a $15.50 wage would actually be a 44-cent raise. Exploiting high levels of unemployment in Indianapolis— where the official jobless rate approaches 10 percent and the real rate is much higher— he has claimed he will convert temporaries into full-time workers and might add jobs in the future.
Sunday’s meeting was an indication of how little support Norman’s wage-cutting plan has. Organizers tried every effort to bribe workers to come. The meeting was held at the Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts professional football team, and workers and their families were invited to walk on the playing field before and after the meeting. An assortment of free pastries, fruits, chips and other food was on hand. Nevertheless, the vast majority of 1,500 seats set up in a conference room beneath the grandstands remained empty.
Afterwards Norman praised the “large turnout” although only about 50 auto workers showed up. There are 660 active workers at the plant. Despite the small number, Norman told reporters that there was “a resolve in that group to get a vote, a kind of democratic process for their voices to be heard so they could decide on their fate and their future.” He continued, “We are going to persist until a vote happens—out of respect for the employees.” A wage of $15.50 an hour, he said, was “a living wage” and said again, “it’s a great opportunity”—without mentioning for whom. When the World Socialist Web Site asked Norman how much he made last year, he refused to answer and walked away.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/aug2010/norm-a31.shtml"Workers Rights are not defined by Law or Contract. Workers Rights are defined by Struggle. You will Win what you are willing to Fight for. Nothing more."
-- G. Shotwell
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