The Spark

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

Big Layoffs of Union Workers at DMC

Nov 10, 2014

The Detroit Medical Center announced it plans to lay off 565 custodians and outsource their jobs. A DMC spokesperson “assures” us that the move will only result in cleaner facilities, happier employees, and more satisfied patients.

What hogwash! This is a union-busting move aimed at decreasing workers’ wages and benefits. We’ve all seen what companies like this do. They may offer current employees their jobs back, if their bosses like them, and they’re willing to work for less. That doesn’t result in “more engaged” employees. Hiring less experienced workers will mean less sanitary conditions, not more; and more people made sick from unclean conditions.

Every layoff like this makes our jobs less safe. The DMC workers deserve our support.

DMC and Other Custodians Speak Out

Janitorial workers rallied in support of Justice for Janitors at the New Center Building on Grand Boulevard the same day DMC custodians held protests on Woodward Ave. Custodial workers have been rallying against DMC’s plans to lay off 565 workers and outsource their jobs.

Chants like “G-O-T-T-O-G-O, outsourcing has got to go!” and “Stand Up, Fight Back” show that these workers are taking on a fight that all workers have an interest to join in.