We say “Vote No!” Truck Plant Workers:
We refuse to let them work us to death!

A document from a group of 155 UAW Local 600 workers, which illustrates beyond a doubt that workers at all levels are under attack and are just beginning to fight back.

We refuse to let them insult our intelligence! They tell us that we should give concessions because Mulally is taking a pay cut. Mulally could work for free and he’s already made more money than we will ever see in a hundred lifetimes.

We refuse to let them take $12,000 or more away from our families! According to the UAW 2007 Contract Highlights, those two performances bonuses would have added up to $4,960. The two Christmas bonuses would be $1,200. The 99 cents in COLA taken back will add up to about $5,000 over two-and-a-half years. Additional COLA money will be lost, based on how fast prices go up. Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB) will be reduced because of the lost COLA.

We refuse to let them work us to death! They want to take away break time. We are working too hard already, getting tired and sore every day. Let them work on this line for even one day!

We refuse to let them invade our privacy! They want to force us to get doctor’s exams and treatment programs. How dare these millionaire executives with their personal trainers tell us how to take care of our health? Give us their money and we would be a lot healthier.

We refuse to listen to their lies about concessions saving jobs! We’ve been told this lie over and over. No more! Taking money out of our pockets will mean that fewer cars and trucks are sold. Concessions mean more layoffs.

We refuse to let them take away our chance to retire! They want to fund the VEBA with company stock. They want to change the rules, so that retirees could now be forced to pay more for health care, starting on January 1, 2010. This is proof that they know the VEBA will run out of money. What will be left for current workers? Do they think we should have to work until we die?

We refuse all these other concessions! Laid off workers forced to move anywhere in the country. You can’t turn down any job offer without losing all pay and benefits. The company could change our work schedule as often as they want. SUB weeks reduced. Overtime rules changed to cheat us out of overtime pay, like working 12-hours-a-day, with no overtime paid. If we let them take things from us that we’ve had for 40 or 50 years, do you really think they’ll give them back? No, they’ll be back next year to take more concessions.

We refuse to continue this race to the bottom! It’s time to draw the line!

(Signed) Dearborn Truck Plant and other Local 600 workers:

(The 44-page Contract Modifications can be downloaded from www.soldiersofsolidarity.com.) Labor Donated