Interesting Times

Very interesting, indeed, if these workers strike and theaten one of the major players in the Bush Cronies Cabal with any financial hardship whatsoever. Any bets on whether federal troops will be called in to quash the ‘uprising’ of potentially 380,000 Americans who strike for their country? These Delphi workers are the frontline of America’s Patriot Army. Join them if you can. Take back our jobs.
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Workers rally against Delphi’s actions

ASSOCIATED PRESS

December 10, 2005

KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) -- At least a thousand people rallied in Kokomo Saturday as union leaders tried to galvanize workers who may face steep wage cuts from bankrupt auto parts manufacturer Delphi Corp.

“To the Delphi workers here and everyone else, there are 380,000 union workers in the state of Indiana who will march in this battle with you,” said Indiana AFL-CIO President Ken Zeller. “You are not alone.”

The “pro-working class” rally against the wage and benefit cuts was organized by the UAW local that represents Delphi’s Kokomo workers.

The afternoon event at the Johanning Civic Center became a platform to publicize struggles workers face throughout the country as companies outsource parts of their labor force.

“It’s not just about Delphi, it’s about the future of this country the American dream,” said Tom Sugar, a Kokomo native and chief of staff for Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.

One in three jobs in Kokomo is tied to manufacturing, and the Howard County community is poised to take a heavy blow as its two big employers—Delphi and DaimlerChrysler—eye layoffs or pay cuts.

Delphi has been operating under bankruptcy protection since October and is seeking to cut hourly workers’ wages by more than 60 percent.

The company was founded in 1999 as a spin-off from General Motors. Delphi is now a key supplier for the auto manufacturer.

This week, an officials with the United Auto Workers said a strike against Delphi appears increasingly likely.
The sentiments were echoed by UAW Local 292 President Sona Camp.

“If we strike, GM will shut down in a couple of days,” she said. “They don’t want that, but we are ready.”
Workers say the proposed cuts—from $27 an hour to between $10 and $12.50 -- are unfair, especially as Delphi has given bonuses to managers and other executives.

During the rally, workers carried signs reading “Delphi cooks the books/Workers get BURNED.”
Many also signed a petition union leaders hope to submit to a federal bankruptcy judge, saying: “It is time to stop the bleeding of good-paying American jobs in the manufacturing industry.”

Dave McDaniel, a Delphi employee who lives in Noblesville, has spent the past 27 years as an autoworker.
Under the wage cuts that are proposed, McDaniel said he may have to sell his home and worries about paying his daughter’s college tuition.

“I’m willing to strike,” he said. “If Delphi causes me to lose everything I have, I don’t care if they stay in business.”

Delphi spokesman Lindsey Williams declined to comment on the rally.

Delphi, based in Troy, Mich., has about 6,000 employees in Indiana, most of whom work at the company’s Electronics & Safety Division headquartered in Kokomo.

With 185,000 workers worldwide, the company is the nation’s largest auto supplier.

Copyright © 2005 Detroit Free Press Inc.
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