April 2026

Brothers and sisters,

I would like to start by congratulating our brothers and sisters at UAW local 42 in Chattanooga, TN for ratifying their first UAW contract at Volkswagen with significant gains! Finally, the fruits of the labor of a long fought battle by the UAW have been seen. This is a monumental step for the labor movement!

That said, I want to take the time to mention a story of how corporate greed in the auto industry brought hard times to my family. My father was a tool maker at American Axle and Manufacturing in Hamtramck when they moved a majority of their production to Mexico in 2008. He was left with no good options and decided to take the buyout and part ways with AAM and UAW local 235. This decision made my mother (mother of 8) have to pick up a second job since the only work available for a journeyman tool maker from a UAW represented shop available paid less than half of his wage he was accustomed to. This moment devastated my family, and many others in my neighborhood in southern Macomb county. So many families lost medical benefits and financial stability so that Dick Dauch could make a few million extra dollars.

This brings us to the present. AAM workers in Three Rivers, Michigan (UAW Local 2093) have a contract set to expire in May of 2026. It is time that these hard working UAW brothers and sisters of ours finally earn back all the concessions they took in 2008! AAM is a tier 1 supplier for GM, Ford, Stellantis, Nissan and Scout motors. These people work diligently to get the parts auto manufacturers throughout the Americas get the axles they need to keep wheels moving! We need to all keep these brothers and sisters in our hearts as they fight to get back what they lost nearly 2 decades ago! Please reach out and show them the solidarity that they need to see in this time of need.

My sincere hope is that the success of our members at Local 42 and the hopeful success of our union family at Local 2093 will make more non-union workers within this country realize the benefits of being in the UAW and push to have a collective bargaining agreement of their own. Hopefully we can have union density in every state in the nation and have the membership numbers that this great union had in its heyday!

In Solidarity,

Rob

December 2025

I want to take a moment to personally thank the members of UAW Local 602 for building a world-class vehicle that quite literally protected me when it mattered most. Recently, another driver ran a red light, causing me to total my 2023 Traverse. Remarkably, I walked away with only minor neck pain — a testament to the craftsmanship, dedication, and pride that each of you puts into the vehicles you build every single day.

You should all be incredibly proud of the work you do. The quality, safety, and integrity that go into each vehicle built by Local 602 members make a real difference in people’s lives — not just for the drivers, but for their families as well. What could have been a devastating situation instead became a powerful reminder of the impact of your skill and commitment to excellence. I also want to extend special thanks to President Mike Huerta for his leadership of our local in 2025, and to Shop Chairman Ryan Eding for his dedication and service this year.

As we close out 2025, I want to wish all of our members a very happy holiday season. I’m excited to see what Local 602 accomplishes in 2026 and beyond. A heartfelt thank-you also goes out to our Shop Committee Representatives, executive board and Standing Committees for their tireless efforts and leadership that continue to make UAW Local 602 the great local it is today.

In Solidarity,

Rob

September 2025

As the current Recording Secretary of UAW Local 602 and the former Union Label Chair, I’ve always believed in the importance of supporting union-made products. When you buy union-made, you’re not just getting a quality item—you’re backing the workers who built it. Every purchase is a chance to say, “I support fair wages, safe working conditions, and jobs that stay right here in America.” It’s an easy way to put your money where your values are.

A lot of people don’t realize just how many union-made options are out there, from cars to clothing to household goods. The label matters. When you choose union, you’re helping protect good-paying jobs and making sure the next generation has the same opportunities we’ve had. It’s not about politics—it’s about standing with working people and strengthening the middle class.

Those choices at the checkout line might seem small, but they add up in a big way.

If you’re ever not sure what’s union-made, there’s help out there. You can always reach out to your local union’s current Union Label Chairperson—they’ll have resources and lists to point you in the right direction, whether you’re looking for American-made tools, union-stitched clothing, or even beer brewed by union hands.

Supporting union-made isn’t complicated—it’s about being mindful of where our products come from and remembering that every dollar is a vote for the kind of economy we want to see.

In solidarity

Rob

June 2025

Looking for a new wallet or other leather goods for yourself or as a gift? Want a great American made product made by a small veteran owned business? Then I have just the company for you.

Open Sea Leather is a small company based in Hawaii. They specialize in hand made leather wallets, notebook covers and other accessories. I personally carry the "mini gun deck" every day. the craftsmanship is outstanding and the wallets are just all around works of art.

The owner of Open Sea leather is Michael Bluth, a US Navy veteran. He started the company while living in Monterey, California in 2015 while still in active duty. He since moved the company to Honolulu, Hawaii and has remained there since.

Demand is very high on these amazing hand crafted leather goods and lead times get upwards of 6 months from time to time. Order yours today!

in Solidarity,

Rob

April 2025

Looking for new boots? Want something comfortable, durable and able to be rebuilt? Try out JK boots! JK boots are made right here in the USA with mostly American sourced materials. They are traditional build style boots made in Spokane Washington by Jon Khadzi and his family (as well as some other employees). They come in many styles ranging from traditional logger boots to fire fighting boots all the way to wedge sole boots for long days on concrete floors.

The owner and founder of JK boots moved to the US from Ukraine fleeing oppression after spending most of his life in the cobbler business as well as the leather tanning business. Now he runs the company with his 2 sons and his wife, who is also a seamstress and uses the facility for her work.

 I personally own 3 pair of JK boots. One pair of "OTs" or "overtime boots" which are a traditional logger style boot with honey vibram soles that are modified to be more comfortable for long days of wearing at work. I also have a pair of "super Duty" boots, which are your traditional loggers in all their glory. These make amazing hiking boots and winter boots. Lastly I have my personal favorite, the JK "forefronts" which are 6 inch boots with a wedge sole and a very comfortable last for long periods of standing on concrete floors (as an auto worker that is my life). My personal pair of forefronts utilize bison leather for its toughness and softness, making them incredibly durable and comfortable.

I am sure that any person looking for good quality boots will find something they like from JK and can feel confident knowing they are supporting good people making great boots the old fashioned pacific north west way right here in the USA!

In Solidarity,

Rob