Non-Majority Link

Vol.8 No.3 April 2005

We are organizing the Carolina Auto, Aerospace & Machine workers Union (CAAMWU). We are a union for fairness and justice for all workers. Workers have the right to distribute and read this newsletter in the cafeteria, break-rooms and parking lots during lunch and break times; before and after work. Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, a Federal law, also gives Vermont American / Bosch workers the right to organize and join a union.

The Carolina, Auto, Aerospace, Machine workers Union joined the BWFJ (Black Workers for Justice) in their recognition of the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that he brought to the Civil Rights movement on the same day he was assassinated on April 4^th 1968. Unions and other Labor Organization also join in bye attending the banquet. We had the honor of having The "Real" Clarence Thomas as keynote speaker. Mr. Thomas was the co-chair of Million Worker March in October of 2004 and also is the Leader of the International Longshoreman workers Union Local 10 San Francisco California. This is a Union that has over 13,000 members who are majority Black workers. This is also the same union that help free Nelson Mandela in 1996 and this is the same union along with their sister union in South Carolina (Longshoreman) that shut all dock work down for 3 weeks in 2004. During this time in America no foreign goods were unloaded on the docks of America, at this same time because this Union just like U.E has international connections on the docks in Europe no American goods were unloaded at this time. The "Real" Clearance Thomas laid out further facts about their union. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined this same union in 1967 and a picture was taken of this occasion at that time. The picture was presented to Dr. King’s son in 2004 that he did not know existed. Just as Dr. King laid out the importance of Black American being in unions during his time Mr. Thomas also stress the importance of Black American being in unions this day and time. Black Americans now make up the most unemployed and least paid on any job. Mr. Thomas also laid out how White Americans cannot do without Black Workers nor can White Workers do without Black Workers We are all connected together. Mexicans workers from Mount Olive pickles in Faison N.C. gave thanks to the BWFJ, FLOC, ILWU AND CAAMWU for all our support in helping them gain a contract for over 8,000 farm workers. WORKERS HAVE POWER WHEN STANDING TOGETHER

On March 30^th our plant meets was finally held. Most employees were disappointed bye the mere fact of this 3% merit raise that we can hardly see in our pay- checks. Be Thankful. Why should this be when we do all the work? These managers get thousands of dollars in bonuses off our work to provide a decent living for their families and we get the crumbs to provide for our families. Don’t we all work for Bosch? We should be given what we rightly earn and it should not be stolen form us by anyone. see over)

Most Black workers are hired through a Temp agency and are placed in the lower

Paying jobs, White workers are hired and are immediately place in the highest pay positions. We are not blind to these facts. Reports from different departments show that Black workers are being treated differently from White workers. Just look at how this new move to make Kit Palmer a supervisor who has only been here less than Three Years, Tony Case who was a engineer, now he is monitoring black employees like they have stolen something. Howard Gaither is now over Routers Dept and Howard doesn’t know any thing about Routers. Can’t we see that something is wrong with this? We have reports and the facts show black employees in the Itm area haven been given points, monies cut back, and no white employee has been issued anything for running the same bad work. In Heat Treat Paul Gauthier who makes 18.00 Dollars an hour uses double standard on black long- term employees’ verses whites. Drills is now over stock and we are suppose to be sending parts through the plant instead of having an inventory this is suppose to be the plant policy according to Gary Utzs. He just told a lie in our quarterly meeting that parts were being help up in certain areas. Well we ask why is there a drill inventory now? Now on top of this Gary Utzs, Diana Yeatts, and Mike

Coffee decides to hire more temporary help and all while move long- term employees out of drills dept. What sense does this make? Who is going to do the training of these employees? We have let Gary Utzs, Steve Woods, Mike Coffee, and Diana Yeatts make a plant that was once filled with employees that held their head high in dignity and respect into a place filled with stress and sickness and low moral. Many of us know that this is the truth we discuss these same issues when we go break; White workers see Diana Yeatts play favorites toward certain Black workers and some fall for this scheme. Majority of us both Black and White know that she is a Snake in the Grass. We put this question to all workers what has she really change other than go around rub black employees on their back, tries to talk black and turn around and laugh in our face as if she is a friend to the Black employees. Since she has been here have we gotten a UNION BASE LIVING RAISE or has WORKING CONDITIONS CHANGED FOR THE BETTER OR HAVE THEY IN FACT GOTTEN WORSE?

This is why we need an organization in the plant that protect worker from injustices and unfairness. Gary Utzs and his manager have created this climate of fear to stop workers from organizing. The petition is still being pass around for all to sign, white workers have problems at this plant also. The union is open to all who can look pass the color another person skin too make a difference for all of us. We ask all too make plan to attend our meeting to discuss all these issue. Take a little time to find our something. IN SOLIDARITY!!!

As part of UE 150,CAAMWU members are part of the United Electrical, Radio& Machine Workers Union of America (UE),a rank and file members-run union representing tens of thousands of workers in 26 states across the country. We encourage all workers at Bosch to find out more about our union at: organize@ue150,www.ranknfile.org and http://www.caamwu.org/

[ Home ] [ Up ]

Send mail to Webmaster@CAAMWU.ORG with questions or comments about this web site.

Subscribe to our Members Mailing List members-subscribe@caamwu.org
Copyright © 2003 / 2004 Carolina Auto, Aerospace & Machine Workers Union