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
Apr 12, 2010
Workers at a GM-Delphi valve lifter plant near Grand Rapids voted NO on a concessions contract that would have frozen wages for five years, cut skilled trades’ pay $3 an hour, and forced workers to pay $100 a month for health insurance.
The deal also demanded a two-tier, new-hire entry wage of $12.
GM’s threat to close the plant didn’t work. Workers voted 238 NO, 136 yes.
Many of the workers were transferred from other plants, where they had experienced giving concessions, only to have their plants close down anyway.
At first, workers were told they would have to vote again since they didn’t get it right the first time. But at the last minute, just before voting was to begin on April 8, the voting was cancelled. Workers were also told that they would get their raise that GM had been refusing to pay since January.
For now, the workers not only have called the company’s bluff, but they have blocked any more immediate attacks.
The power of NO!