2017-11-13 TEAM Workin 4 A Livin Thanksgiving Message

Thanksgiving Message

Workin 4 A Livin

Join The TEAM

TEAM Workin 4 A Livin – Caucus educates about Union & Non-Union Labor issues. Please join Moderator Leroy McKnight, and Co-Hosts Jeff Brown and David Fillion For our Thanksgiving message!

Workin 4 A Livin is about the meaning of work for men and women from all backgrounds – in the union and non-union jobs – who are working for a living every day at their job. For them to get the latest union news, to discuss and learn about the meaning of work within labor unions. We welcome you to find us, our [I-Tunes, Stitcher, Player. FM and Blog Talk Radio] podcasts can be found on our website at www.workin4alivin.com. Our email address: Workin4ALivin@Workin4ALivin.com

 

Thanksgiving Message

On this Thanksgiving Day as we give thanks for what we have been blessed with in our lives. Our Workin 4 A Livin TEAM gives thanks for our families, friends, all of our sister and brother co-workers, our loyal listeners and for our union that has provided us with for a more bountiful life.

To be sure, throughout the eight decades of our union, the UAW has endured many challenges. Born out of the unimaginable hardships during the great depression, and by and through the Federal Law known as “The Wagner Act”; the Federal law that gives legal authority to all unions.

Yes, at a time when hope was most needed by people who had little to no hope… Unions gave hope for a better life.

Certainly, this hope was not easily achieved, there were many instances of violence and even death at places like the great Flint sit-down strike, with the “Battle of the Bulls”, and the “Battle of the Overpass” at the River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan and many others

Even after the first General Motors agreement in Flint, there was still much opposition from a second caucus, yes for several years a “company caucus” prevented greater than 50% membership within the rank and file workforce. During the ensuing decades, as solidarity grew, there were many gains, but there was also much pain – through the triennial strikes that produced gains such as: Cost of Living, Health Care, Pensions, ever higher wages and ever lower hours.

In 1971, the “The Powell Memorandum” – with some success  – sought to control the bargaining table through corporate political action, the radio, TV and print media, and yes – by subverting some union leaders themselves.

Even today, as we give thanks for our unions and those who have gone before us to pave the way for better lives, there are those persons and even some among our membership who denounce our unions, and their political activism. Seeking and promoting laws such as “Right To Work”, and make attempts to end the protective political action of unions. Let us remember… the legal authority for labor unions actually resides within the laws of the United States… Laws that could be changed without such protective political actions.

It remains, even in the year 2017, that the hope of better wages, working conditions and hours of employment is achieved only when good women and men ban together in an organized way to mitigate the ever-present greed of corporations.

So… On this Thanksgiving Day, in addition to our family and friends, let us all give thanks for the hope unions represent; and give thanks for the persistence of women and men who promote stronger unions; shun “learned-helplessness”; reject corporate greed; and embrace a strong, unified, and determined – Labor Ethos!

May your God bless you on this day of thanks giving.

In Solidarity,

Leroy McKnight

Chair

Workin 4 A Livin

 

From TEAM Workin 4 A Livin – Caucus

For more information about other labor issues visit Workin 4 A Livin.

Author: admin

Leave a Reply