United Auto Workers Declares a Nationwide Strike

The United Auto Workers is a power union. Our grandfathers fought to establish this union many years ago. The Big 4 auto plants still use this union to help them establish fair working rights. When a contract is due to renew. The UAW and the company begin negotiations. One of the auto plants, usually GM or Ford Motor Company, is the target of contract negotiations. In turn, if they cannot come up with an agreement. A strike deadline is placed into effect.

This year, General Motors is the target. They tried to stay in negotiations but after 9 long days, without progress. The UAW sent word to the employee's that a Nation Wide Strike was planned as of 11 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2007.

Usually only two plants are chosen for a walk out. It was very shocking to hear that the UAW had decided on a nation-wide strike. Of course, all the employee's are concerned about how long this will last and how they will save their pensions and medical benefits, that they have worked so long for. Even with unemployment benefits. It is often hard to keep up on monthly bills when a strike occurs.

Living in Michigan. Several members of my family work for GM and Ford Motor Company. Each time there has been a lay off or strike it has drastically effected our family. My brother Raymond Blackburn has been with General Motors for over 30 years. At 11:00 A.M. this morning he was on his way to the Union Hall to find out when he would be picketing.

Ray as we call him, just celebrated his 50th Birthday on September 23, 2007. This strike concerns him because he is close to retirement age. The benefits and pension plan that he hired in on, has been changed several times during his long career with the company. When I asked him what his greatest fears were this is what he told me. "Sis, I am afraid that what I have worked for all these years will be taken away from us in negotiations." The union is not as strong as it used to be. He also said "The new people coming in as new hires will not have a chance at a quality retirement or medical insurance if we don't stand strong and fight for what is right."