Workin 4 A Livin

November 28, 2019: On This Day Of Thanksgiving, Those With Ability Are Called Upon To Stay Strong As They Stand Up For Those Who Lack Ability; So That They Too May Have Blessings To Count.

Workin 4 A Livin, where progressives for change – present opinions that matter, 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. Unfortunately, as we now realize daily, the bounties born from such a strong labor ethos – seems to have weakened and waned especially during the last decade or so.

As we all seek understanding and reason for such a weak Labor Ethos, we need look no farther than the 1971, “The Powell Memorandum” that – with some success  – sought to control the bargaining table through corporations own political actions, through radio, TV, print media, and universities; and sought to subvert union leaders themselves. Unfortunately, droves of “Powellists” – both outside our membership, and yes some leaders within our own union – have emerged for the purpose of personal or organizational gain at the great expense of us rank and file members including temporary & seniority active and retired members.

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, some among the leadership who have succumbed to the temptations of greed and have abused their awesome power for personal gain.

So today… Let us remember:

“Right is right even if no one is doing it;

wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it, and

there is no ‘past practice’ — THAT JUSTIFIES WRONG DOING TODAY.”

Our solace is: that it remains, even in the year 2019, 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 by and through the use of a “Certified Union Structure”!

So… On this Thanksgiving Day, in addition to our family and friends, let us all give thanks for the hope all unions, and our union the UAW, represent; and give thanks for the persistence of well intended, experienced women and men – void of personal or organizational gain – who through the compliance of the rules and regulations set forth – promote stronger unions. And… Let us all shun “learned-helplessness”; reject corporate greed; and embrace a strong, unified, and determined – Labor Ethos of our Union!

On this day of thanks giving may your God bless you , and keep you, your friends and family prosperous and safe from harm.

In Solidarity,

Leroy McKnight

Chair

Workin 4 A Livin

Our email address: Workin4ALivin@Workin4ALivin.com

 

Twitter: @4_workin

Member – Michigan Association of Broadcasters

 

From TEAM Workin 4 A Livin – Caucus

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