UAW Members Return to Work

 Teamsters Support Union Brothers and Sisters in Hard Times

 By: Fred Wood The Committee for Change

There is no shortage of positive news when it comes to the Teamsters helping workers across the country. Following the news of the UAW strike, we couldn’t help but imagine the power that we would command as members of the Teamsters Union—if the Teamsters go to such great lengths to support workers that aren’t even their members!

Here’s the proof—just one out of many examples that the Teamsters will fight the good fight. This example came last month when the United Auto Workers launched a nationwide strike, with 73,000 members at General Motors walking off the job. This was the first nationwide strike against the U.S. auto industry since 1976. With their union brothers and sisters standing behind them, the UAW members walked the picket line for two days before returning to work and to a new four-year contract.

The Teamsters Union publicly expressed its support for the UAW members from the beginning. Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division, said, “Until the strike ends, our 10,000 carhaul members will be out there honoring the picket lines by not crossing or working behind the lines.”

As always, the Teamsters lived up to their word. Teamster locals across the country actively honored the picket lines, demonstrating their commitment to the UAW members. Members of Teamsters Local 89 in Louisville, for instance, showed Teamster power and union solidarity by honoring the picket line at a Corvette line in Bowling Green.

“We support the UAW in winning a fair and decent contract,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “Our members will do what they can so that the UAW is successful.”

At the 2^nd Change to Win Convention held in Chicago, delegates representing six million members in seven major unions (including the Teamsters) pledged to support the striking UAW members at GM plants throughout the country. The resolution called on all Change to Win affiliates at the national and local levels to “demonstrate solidarity with UAW members and their families by honoring their picket lines and providing moral, organizational and material support for them.”

In his speech, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger expressed his thanks to the Change to Win unions, including the Teamsters.

“I want to thank everyone at Change to Win for their support, and thank Mr. Hoffa for the wonderful letter of support that the Teamsters put out,” Gettelfinger said.

A subsequent walk off of UAW members at Chrysler also received immediate support, and ended after only six hours, when a tentative agreement was reached on a four-year contract.

Through solidarity and strength, the UAW members at GM and Chrysler quickly returned to work, knowing that they had the power and clout of major labor unions, like the Teamsters, behind them.

It’s time that we jump on board to become members of a strong, professional union, one that will stand up for its members—and even the members of other unions! We need a union that has power and is positioned to have an impact. Let’s have an impact on our future. It’s time that we choose the Teamsters.