Who Are We?
We are the middle class. To remain in that category, we must continue to impress upon our duly elected representatives that we are holding them accountable to keep us there. In fact, we need to lift more American workers' standard of living instead of allowing us to slowly disappear while the numbers of the "working poor" continue to rise. Imagine for a moment your children and grandchildren struggling to raise their families working at $10 an hour (if they aren't already). There are those trying to portray these as middle class lives, but we know better, that is poverty! .
Misguided and dangerous policies such as one free trade agreement after another, unchecked illegal immigration; and rewarding corporations for the outsourcing of American jobs are only hastening the proverbial "race to the bottom". In Michigan's Republican Primary, to paraphrase the words of Republican candidate John McCain ... "Your, auto jobs are. gone. Forget about them, they will be replaced with job retraining programs at community colleges." What does that mean? What kind of message does that send?
American autoworkers and the American public deserve better. It sounds to me like more Republican rhetoric aimed at providing a cheap labor pool for greedy corporations.
Trends indicate that the United States will lose its status as the world's largest free market to the countries that benefit the most from our weak economic policies. The flooding of our country with their products which are manufactured by underpaid people working in deplorable, unsafe conditions and the unfair trade policies these countries employ (with our help) will hasten the reversal of this fortune unless something is done soon. If you think gas is expensive now, wait until their markets attract resources and raw materials over ours. To find an illustration of this, look no further than the European example of four to six dollars per gallon!.
Challenge to the Membership
I urge you to attend union meetings, which are held the second Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm.' Our solidarity is our greatest strength, so p1ease stay informed and get involved during these changing times (bring your questions). We should follow the example of our retired members, whose meetings became so large they can no longer be held at the hall.
In Solidarity,
