Stand up for your rights
How do we gain in an ever increasing world of higher cost of living?
In our quest to enhance our own standard of living, our right to free decision making without government coercion is not without risk. We take for granted every day the rights we have been accustomed to. These rights affect us individually, our families and our communities. More and more we see the struggles of those around us. We know people who have lost their job, their retirement and so on, but because it hasn’t really happened to us, we tend not to put ourselves in their shoes.
As union members we stand together in solidarity. Standing together means just that, we stand together when our sisters and brothers are doing well and when they aren’t doing so well.
To be more specific, we are affected by what happens to those around us, those who are union as well as those who are not. Whether we think so or not, we are walking in someone else’s shoes; it’s only a matter of time before we realize it.
The question becomes, are you going to do what you can to make a difference or not? Either way we must move in a direction, be it positive or negative, as a group of people.
The direction depends on how many are participating in the process. Sometimes bad things happen because only a few negative people got involved, and even fewer positive people got involved or just sat it out waiting to see what the others were going to do.
By now I hope you are getting the point I’m trying to make. By now we should all have seen the negative effect recent legislation has had on our income taxes; some of us have had contracts expire which brought “right-to-work” into our workplace; some of us have seen the devastating effect to our budget because we are now paying for taxes on our pensions. Some of us have fought to stave off these devastating changes to our livelihood; some of us have sat back and let it happen. In the meantime we have been losing the battle to protect the rights of the middle class.
Collective bargaining is one of those rights and can exist only in an environment of political freedom. Every dictator in history either left or right has, as a first step, sought to destroy free trade unions. We are dedicated to freedom politically, economically and through private enterprise. This is what has made America the “Land of the Free.” No matter what side you lean toward in your beliefs and your convictions, freedom for those rights are held with the highest regard and respect. We have shed blood to protect those freedoms, not only for us, but for future generations.
Our collective bargaining rights will be in jeopardy unless we continue to pay our dues.
Collective bargaining is not a means of seeking a voice in management; it exists to protect the interests of the worker. It’s neither right nor left. Where in the past collective bargaining only included wages, hours and safety concerns, it now includes a whole host of items such as medical care, pensions and job security.
Showing our strength in numbers as dues paying-members who won’t back down because of “right-to-work” lets our legislators and our bosses know we stand as one, undivided.
We must think about those who have lost their ability to support their family through no fault of their own. Those who struggle daily to put their kids through school, pay medical bills, or put food on the table. We must put ourselves in their shoes and fight for them, ourselves and future generations of workers. Corporations have enjoyed billions in profits by stripping their workers of a voice, a vote and job security. It is our right, our expression of freedom, to bargain. Let’s not let anyone take these rights away.
If you choose to not pay your dues, not to get involved and basically not care, you send a message not only to the workers and retirees who struggle to get by, but to your legislators as well as your place of work that you’re OK with not having rights. Without unions, we are nothing but “at will” employees who can be let go for no reason. Standing up for our rights and the rights of others sends a strong message, but one that is only as strong as its participants. Stand with me, your co-workers, your family and your community!

Why you should care about
the minimum wage
The President is calling on Congress to raise the federal minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $9.00 in stages by the end of 2015. This will directly affect over 15 million people, making a huge difference in the lives of many. Economic studies show that modestly raising the minimum wage reduces poverty without jeopardizing employment, in part because it increases purchasing power for the consumer which helps the overall economy.
Congress sets the minimum wage in nominal dollars, so it doesn’t keep pace with inflation. Because the cost of living is consistently rising, the value of the wage buys less than the minimum wage did throughout the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. Although the minimum wage has increased 22 times since it was established, those increases were needed to restore the real value of the minimum wage.
A stronger middle class is a key to a stronger economy. A higher minimum wage will allow more families to be lifted out of poverty. Around 60 percent of these workers are women. The President believes that no one who works full time should raise their family in poverty. A minimum wage worker makes about $15,080.00 a year, which leaves many families struggling to make ends meet. That’s why the President is calling on Congress to raise the minimum wage to $9.00 an hour and index it to inflation.
While President Barack Obama calls for raising the federal minimum wage, Michigan Senate Democrats are pushing for a state increase, as well. Senator Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, introduced Senate Bill 203 in February to increase the state’s minimum wage in increments from $7.40 to $10.00 per hour by 2016. After 2016, it would be linked to inflation. Each year, as the cost of living has continued to increase, our state minimum wage has remained stagnant.
Our state has been taking from families and giving to businesses; it’s time to reverse this trend. Gov. Rick Snyder has made it clear that he opposes a minimum wage increase at either the state or federal levels. A survey of Michigan residents by Progress Michigan showed that more than 70 percent of Michigan residents would support increasing the minimum wage.
You may ask yourself, “Why should I even care about the minimum wage? It doesn’t affect me.” As UAW members, we are fortunate to make over the minimum wage. But don’t be fooled into thinking that “if a company didn’t have to bargain with the unions”, we would receive the same wages. We all know that’s not true. Our ability to bargain on behalf of our members helps us retain these wages. I believe that the dues I pay to my union have more than proven to be a great investment.
It “Pays to belong to the UAW,” and I am “Proud to pay my dues.”

Welcome back to all the snowbirds. You’re great with your suntans. We’re glad you’re back safe.
Some dates to remember:
Euchre tournament, May 8. Registration is at Local 602 at 8:30 a.m. and playing starts at 9:00. The top four winners will meet with Flint’s top four at Local 602 in the afternoon. Come join us for a day of fun and also lunch.
Retired Fisher Girls’ annual luncheon will be on the last Thursday in July, the 25th, at 2:00 p.m. at Finley’s Restaurant on South Cedar Street in Lansing. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone for an afternoon of reminiscing.
We are working to set up a travel club for all retirees in the region. If you have a place you’d like to go and think that other retirees would enjoy, please let me know. If we can get the numbers, we’ll be looking at cheaper rates.
Despite its success and popularity, Congress is now seriously considering undermining the existing Medicare system. They would slash benefits for the elderly and leave older Americans at the mercy of the for-profit insurance industry.
The solution to our nation’s health care crisis isn’t cutting Medicare. It’s making Medicare into a single-payer system for all.
More than four years after the financial crash and two years after the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Wall Street still remains out of control. We need to push for the rules that Dodd-Frank mandated and for tough standards that will crack down on Wall Street abuses.
Spend just a few minutes of your time and call your Congressperson and make your voice heard.
For all our sick and shut-ins you are in our thoughts and prayers and for all who have lost a loved one or dear friend, we send you our deepest condolences.

Emma M. Willoughby – Wife of Redell B. Willoughby, Retired Sanitation
Bowlin Wright – Retired Paint
Daniel Fourman – Retired Body Shop
Marvin Arnold – Stepfather of Elson Beard – Retired Doors
Larry Tester – Retired
Richard Andrews – Father of Jeffrey Reeves, Retired Quality
Machele Marie Bahl – Daughter of Rodney Bahl, Retired
Ramona Garibay – Mother of Ray Garibay, Quality
Joshua Peerson – Stepson of Steven McClure
Henry Homer Jones – Retired Body Hauler
Phyllis J. Jessen – Mother of Arnie Jessen, Doorline
Freda F. Frary – Mother of JoAnne Schnaars, Pipefitter (Body Shop)
Sandra Langham – Retired
Charles Corbett – Retired
Sie Meadows – Retired
Mark Hawley – Retired
Russell Martin – Retired
Gerald Rodebaugh – Retired
Howard Anderson – Retired
Ricky Wong – Retired
Glenn Wilcox – Retired
Iris Faye Decker – Mother of Randall Decker, Millwright (Body Shop)
Maude E. Nelson – Mother of John Nelson, Retired Electrician (Tire Bay)
Jackie Stanley – Retired
Leo John Lucian – Father of John Lucian
Robert H. Moyer – Retired Body Shop

It's not rocket science

   Happy New Year to all of our Local 602 members active and retired! 2010 was quite a year, with members from over 20 different locals across the country joining our Local 602 family. 2011 looks like another busy and successful year as we continue to produce the world’s best crossovers on three shifts and we anticipate some scheduled overtime soon. 2011 is also a negotiation year and we are in the process of compiling our membership demands, getting them approved by the General Membership and submitting them to the UAW/GM department for inclusion. GM is healthy again and poised for profit, thanks to the sacrifices of our membership both active and retired. We have shared in the pain; now let’s share in the gain!
    The labor movement is currently under attack from every angle. Our brothers and sisters who are government and municipal employees are under attack from both state and federal legislators. Management is using a page out of the old playbook stating that whenever their bottom line gets soft and revenues decrease they blame the people and not their process. Rather than eliminate waste in their process, they immediately take money out of our middle-class pockets to pay for their reckless and irresponsible decisions.
    It’s not our fault that Wall Street was allowed to plunge us into this recession while they continue to make record profits and bonuses. It’s not our fault that greedy speculators were allowed to drive the price of oil over $140 per barrel, making record profits for oil companies and closing factories here at home.
    It’s not our fault that globalization in the name of “Free Trade Capitalism” has cost our American middle class millions of jobs while corporate America continues to search the globe for the low bidder country. It’s not our fault that our retirees’ 401k’s have been cut in half and their benefit packages have been reduced with the stroke of a pen, while executive pay and bonuses continue their meteoric and immoral rise.
    So what do we do now? Believe it or not, that answer is quite simple.
    The middle class built the economic foundation of this great nation and now that we are shrinking, so too is the economic “greatness” of America. This ain’t rocket science! Rebuild the middle class by creating and protecting good-paying jobs with benefits here in America. That’s it, and that’s all.
    See how simple that was, and what is the only movement that fights for, advocates for, and helps to create and protect middle-class jobs? THE LABOR MOVEMENT! We are not the cause of the problem, we are the only solution.

December 2010, "Keep your eyes on the bad guys"
   Let me take this opportunity to wish all the membership of UAW Local 602, active and retired, a happy and safe holiday season. Our active employees know what a crazy year we have had at the plant with transfers, maximum overtime, addition of a third shift, and what I would consider to be pretty heavy-handed managers!
   Just an FYI for the retired members, we have had members transfer in from all over the USA and Local 602 is now the largest UAW-GM Local in the country. Our membership now represents over 20 different UAW locals from all across the country. This level of change in so short a period of time is extremely stressful and I think it is remarkable that our membership continues to build world-class products each and every day. Thank you for your efforts, and thank you retirees for providing us a strong foundation on which to build. Demand for our crossover products remains strong, and we anticipate a more steady state of production scheduling for 2011.
    We will soon be launching our new and improved website, which will keep our expanding membership up to date with news and happenings at Local 602. With the outcome of the recent national and state elections, we expect the attacks on working middle-class families and the unemployed to skyrocket under the guise of “fiscal responsibility”—and I want to keep an eye on the bad guys so we can see what they are up to next.
   Just days after the election, the deficit commission has already suggested cuts in Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, and canceling long-established tax deductions for the middle class. Republican members of the House and Senate are playing poker with the unemployed by betting that we will extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy in exchange for unemployment extensions that are critical to the survival of needy families.
   And this is just the beginning. They haven’t even been sworn in and they are already shooting across the bow of Labor and the social and economic justice that we fight for.
On the state level, their agenda is to privatize state workers, cut critical social programs for the most vulnerable of our citizens, and in my opinion, “right-to-work” legislation is not far behind! So this holiday season, let’s give thanks for the blessings we enjoy, let’s celebrate the values of a society that cares for one another, and let’s keep both eyes on the bad guys!

Brian Fredline's September 2010 article, "Who are the lucky ones?"
   Have you ever had someone approach you and say, “You are lucky to have this job?” Webster defines “lucky” as fortuitous, or acquired by chance and good fortune. As a UAW President, my blood pressure goes off the charts, and I grit my teeth every time I hear the ill-informed statement, “You are lucky to have this job.”
   Luck is a flip of the coin. Luck is winning the lottery. Luck is being car number eleven in a ten-car pile-up. As UAW members, we are not “lucky” to have a decent job, we have earned the right to a decent job.
   Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonalds corporation said, “Luck is a dividend of sweat—the more you sweat, the luckier you get.” Well, it seems to me that our UAW membership is pretty lucky, based on that statement.
   How lucky we are to accept a job that has forced many of us to move our families halfway across the country and leave all that was sacred to us. How lucky we are to drive for hours round trip, every day, so we can pay the bills.
   How lucky we are to have a job that is controlled by a buzzer and a mechanical moving chain that demands mind-numbing, repetitive task every 67 seconds. How lucky we are to have a job where every movement is engineered down to a tenth of a second with a grip, place, bend, walk, get, grasp, or bend.
   How lucky we are to have a job where we are confined to a footprint and must endure the invasion of our privacy, when we are forced to “pull a cord” just to go to the bathroom. How lucky we are, when we are threatened with discipline for a problem we did not create, nor can we control.
   How lucky we are to have a job where at the end of every day, our muscles are tired, our backs are sore, and our feet can barely carry us home. 
   I would submit that anyone who thinks we are lucky to have this job has never spent eight hours on an assembly line. Fact is, the more we sweat, the luckier we get.
So who are the lucky ones? The lucky ones are the managers who have the honor of working with the most skilled and dedicated workforce on the globe. The lucky one is the corporation that despite all the recent concessions, confusion, and upheaval, has a workforce who is able to maintain focus and build the highest quality cars and trucks on the planet.
   And ultimately, the lucky ones are the customers who are the beneficiaries of our world-class products.
   The next time someone tells you, “You are lucky to have this job,” take a moment for a dramatic pause, straighten your aching back, square your drooping shoulders, look them directly in the eye and say, “ No, you are the lucky one, because I will be back tomorrow.”

Brian Fredline's May article "Election notes"
   May is going to be another busy month for the local, with preparations for the Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), sub-councils, district committee elections, and the Memorial Day holiday.
   We are in the process of installing a new and improved phone system at the hall, which will handle more call volume and provide better service and access to our membership. Circumstances seem to change at warp speed lately, and we are developing the technologies to help our membership stay informed. We will also be updating and redesigning our website to provide real-time information and provide for a better communication process.
   The district committee elections will be held on May 25, May 26, and May 27 (for times, see posting in plant or on website). These are important elections that will choose your committee representation for the next three years. I encourage every member in good standing to come to the polls and vote. Campaigning is in full swing, and I want to wish all the candidates good luck as they actively participate in our democratic process.
   UAW Local 602 has a long and successful history of one-person, one-vote politics. I think it is refreshing that in this age of partisan politics we have not been encumbered by the confusion of special interest groups or caucuses. Our membership should feel empowered to vote for the candidates of their choice and the majority membership will decide who will be their representatives.
   President Obama said it well when he offered this advice: “You will be remembered not but what you destroy, but by what you help to build.” By casting your vote for the candidates of your choice, you will help us build one of the strongest Locals in the UAW-GM department. Now that we have welcomed new members from across the country, we are poised to build upon that success, and to strengthen the cause of social and economic justice for all workers.
   Congratulations to our Con-Con delegates. I am confident that our elected delegation will represent UAW Local 602 with dignity and respect.
   The same rules apply to the committee vote that applied for the Con-Con election, with one major exception. Retirees are not allowed to vote in our committee elections, only active workers in good standing. Absentee ballots are not allowed unless you are out of the plant on official union business and are unable to attend the election.
   Thank you once again in to our new election committee. The Con-Con elections were held with no problems, and I expect the committee elections will follow suit. They will have a challenging task ahead of them as they prepare for the upcoming committee elections, and I have every confidence that they will coordinate an efficient and accurate election. Once again, good luck to all the candidates, run your campaigns with integrity, and may the best persons win!

Brian Fredline's April article, "Busy times for us"
   Well, it sure has been a busy first quarter of 2010 for Local 602. We started the year by welcoming hundreds of brothers and sisters from Spring Hill, Tennessee. They are all here by now and we hope that their transition was a smooth one.
    We also have welcomed hundreds of brothers and sisters from Grand Rapids, Pontiac, Lake Orion, Flint, Lansing Grand River, Shreveport, Wentzville, Livonia, and many other places from across the country. We have also called back our two-tier family and look forward to them helping us stabilize our workforce.
    Like I said, it's been busy, and it is not likely to slow down any time soon. We are anticipating working more overtime than we can understand and our summer shutdown has already been cancelled. In this economic environment we are truly grateful for the prosperity we enjoy. Our hope is that our brothers and sisters across town at Lansing Grand River will get additional product, add a shift or two, and create more opportunity for the City of Lansing and the surrounding areas.
    If the "New GM" business model is to run all plants at full capacity, then adding more products for Lansing is the only thing that makes sense. We are confident that as long as there is a GM Company, the Lansing plants will continue to be a critical profit center for the Company and, more importantly, a vital source of strength, stability, and solidarity for the UAW!
    Our Con-Con Election will be held in late April and the Convention will be held in June.
    Congratulations to the Region 1-C staff members who are retiring.
    Ron Gettelfinger, Cal Rapson, and Duane Zuckschwerdt are also retiring after decades of dedicated service to the membership. We wish them all the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives, and we look forward to building upon their strong foundation of solidarity as we welcome and support our new leadership. Stay tuned ...

Brian Fredline's January 2010 article, "What changes!

    As this New Year begins, I thought it appropriate to show how many challenges we have endured in 2009, and how close we were to disaster. The following are excerpts from my December 15, 2008 “Life on the Line” article. It brings back bad memories!
    “This is a defining moment for our industry and for our union. Our future hangs in the balance of the decision makers on Capitol Hill. In spite of all the bad news we have heard lately, there is cause for hope. The White house announced today that they would not allow the domestic auto industry to collapse. The UAW is cautiously optimistic that bridge funding will be given to GM that allows operations to continue outside of bankruptcy until the new administration takes office. The TARP funding is now being considered in addition to the Treasury dept. extending loans to the big three, and the latest numbers suggest that the bridge funding could be anywhere between 10 and 40 billion dollars.
    “Strange times make for strange bedfellows. Who would have thought that the Bush Whitehouse would come to the aid of the domestic manufacturers and their workers. I know it may sound cynical but I believe that part of the motivation for “Bush to the rescue” is that he doesn’t want his legacy to include the collapse of an entire sector of the American economy. With unemployment spiraling out of control, a credit crisis, and a housing meltdown, layoffs and plant closings, this decision should be a no-brainer. I really don’t care what his motivation is, as long as he writes the check. The other cause for hope is that on January 20, 2009 there will be a new President in Washington that understands the need for an American industrial policy that supports the working men and women of this country. We are confident that his economic stimulus plan will begin our turnaround toward stability.
    “As we begin this Christmas season, let us give thanks for the blessing we enjoy, and look forward to the New Year with a sense of renewed hope.”
   Remember when? Here we are one year removed and our plant is adding a third shift and we have a new product. I know this New Year will hold just as many challenges as 2009, but our challenges will come as a result of new people and new product, and not plant closings, layoffs, transfers, and uncertainty.
   The UAW and Local 602 have weathered this perfect storm, and there will be more changes to come as we approach the UAW Constitutional Convention in June, 2010. I used to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I think for 2010, “Happy” is a long shot, so here’s wishing everyone a STABLE New Year!

Challenges of 2009 turn into promise of 2010

Brian Fredline's September 2009 column:

The C-word