the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Oct 28, 2002
Workers at Chrysler’s McGraw Glass Plant hear rumors that their plant might be closing. Workers at the Mound Road Engine plant are hearing rumors that their plant could be closing. And workers at Trenton Engine are hearing rumors about their plant.
And yet thirty applications for new jobs were given out at a union meeting at McGraw. Why would Chrysler be hiring if it’s closing down all these plants?
If it’s true that these three plants–all in the Detroit area–are going to close, then workers with low seniority will not be picked up anywhere soon. And then the job applications won’t mean anything.
But is Chrysler really closing plants or is it just spreading rumors to get older workers to retire before they want to?
We know that Chrysler would like to have more new workers, since the contract lets them pay lower wages, with fewer benefits for years.
It’s also possible that Chrysler is floating all these rumors in order to get workers to give up concessions next year.
What’s obvious is that workers lack information on what’s happening.
But with or without the information, workers have the means to show that they won’t settle for anything less than a job for everyone.