This website is the online home of an ad-hoc committee of retired and active auto workers and supporters who began organizing in late 2008 to respond to debates surrounding the auto industry bailout that put auto workers and their families in the bullseye of blame for the industry's failings. Auto workers first organized a caravan to Washington D.C. to put a rank-and-file auto worker face to the bailout discussion--talking to Congress and the media about their ideas for long-term solutions to the economic crisis and the crisis of U.S. manufacturing. For more on some of these ideas click here.
After a successful trip to D.C. that put rank-and-file voices into mainstream media, caravan organizers decided to keep doing what they can to support worker activism in this difficult period. Show your support by checking out the current actions.
CURRENT ACTIONS
JAN 11 RALLY OUTSIDE THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW
Auto workers have called for a rally on January 11 at 1 pm outside of press day of the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall. With news of the Bush administration's $17.4 billion loan to the auto industry being tied to game-changing concessions that could erode wages across the board, auto workers will rally for long-term solutions for the auto industry's problems that don't unfairly blame workers for failed corporate policies. Click here for more information.
PETITION TO OBAMA: STOP THESE CONCESSIONS!
Rank and file auto workers and supporters are filling out petitions to President Obama asking his administration to intercede on the details of the Bush loan to the industry which has obligations that are impossible and unjust. Click here for more information.
OPEN LETTER TO NON-UNION AUTO WORKERS
Sign on to the open letter to non-union auto workers, written by UAW members concerned that auto workers in the north and south, union and non-union were being encouraged to fight amongst themselves rather than organize around common needs. Auto workers will distribute this letter to non-union auto workers in the South. Support this solidarity campaign by signing on to the letter. The full letter is available by clicking here.
PAST ACTIONS
We invite all autoworkers and UAW members to join us in Washington, D.C. on December 8 when Congress resumes. We plan to lobby our Congressional Representatives and Senators. We will be holding an auto worker rally and press conference.
DETROIT SEND-OFF RALLY
Support the caravan at a rank-and-file rally from 2 pm to 4 pm on Sunday, December 7 at the Metropolitan Center for High Technology parking lot, at the corner of Temple and Third (2727 Second Ave.).
If you can't take the time to go to Washington, come out to send off your fellow union members to speak for the rank and file.
Directions: From the north:
From I-75 S take exit 53A toward Warren Ave, turn right at E Warren Ave,
turn left at M-1/Woodward Ave, turn right at Temple St. The building is on your left at Third. Google Map: http://tinyurl.com/6l6jkf
JOIN US!
If you can travel to Detroit to meet up with the caravan on December 7, let us know ASAP. Caravan participants from Missouri, Indiana, and other states will meet us in Washington, D.C.
MEET US AT THE CAPITAL!
9:30 am: Converge at the Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St NE, Washington DC 20003. Map to church available at: http://tinyurl.com/5dxn86. (Click "get directions" to print directions from your location.)
11:00 am: Press conference on auto workers' agenda for the transformation of the U.S. auto industry. 2226 Rayburn House office building, 2nd Floor. The Rayburn building is one of the buildings of the House of Representatives and is located south of the Capitol building on Independence. Click for a map of the Capitol area.
1:00-5:00 pm Auto workers from Michigan, Missouri, Indiana and beyond will be available to meet with members of Congress, the press, and local labor supporters around the Capitol. Events, TBA.
For information on the Detroit caravan contact: Wendy Thompson, 313-892-7974 or Tiffany Ten Eyck 313-842-6262.
