This weekend, 300 UAW members and allies protested outside the North American International Auto Show in support of members being laid off by Fiat Chrysler. The workers, members of Local 12 in Toledo, Ohio, are drivers and mechanics who service and deliver parts to Chrysler plants. Their jobs will be replaced by non-union contractors. Bruce Baumhower, President of Local 12 said, "The company has decided to send that work out to a non-union company, without bargaining it with us. We've had two meetings with the company on this.

As I was preparing for this segment of Region 1 action line, I was given an excellent article written by Ken Lambert, past president of Local 2280. Retired Director Joe Peters released it in September-October 2009.

I believe it is worthy of being re-released for the benefit of our newer membership and as a reminder to everyone that the union has made a tremendous impact on society and it continues to fight for ALL workers:

Every three years during the spring, many of our local unions in Region 1A go through their elections. It’s a cornerstone of our great union’s democracy where members in good standing decide who they want to represent them. The process can be lively, to say the least, as candidates campaign on their records or for change.

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Nearly five months after the Republican-controlled legislature paused their attempt to dismantle retirement savings for teachers, administrators and support staff, they’re back at it again. Corporate special interests are pushing them to slash school employees’ compensation and rob public employees of their retirement benefits.