Page 6 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Community rallies behind UAW Local 900 during strike

By Sarah Shurge “The new contract doesn’t benefit the
Rain or sunshine, they stand. Day workers, it benefits the company.”
or night, they stand. Crowded This member was born under
around a fire for warmth, they stand. Ford insurance, been with the union
Signs in their hands, they stand. since 1989, and worked for Ford
If you have driven down Michigan since 2013.“Five days out of the
Ave. in Wayne within the last few week I’m at the Local 900. It’s my
weeks, you might have noticed some- duty,” said Stacy Tompkins, Co-
thing different at the Ford Michigan Chair of the Community Service
Assembly Plant. The parking lot is Committee.
empty and the sidewalks are covered Tompkins has worked for Ford
with UAW members standing in for 33 years and has been on the ex-
protest. ecutive board for 15 years. She was
On Friday, September 15th, the born and raised in Wayne, and is sur-
United Auto Workers (UAW) rounded by Ford employees in her
launched a strike against the “Big family.
Three” (Ford Motor Company, Gen- Her father worked for Ford for 37
eral Motors, and Stellantis) in an ef- years, along with her sister, brother-
fort to encourage negotiations with in-law, daughter, cousins, uncles, an
each carmaker. Local 900 Hockey Team on strike in Wayne. aunt, and even her grandfather for a
The UAW is seeking wage in- brief time. Herself and her family
creases and other demands. 33 years. Many union members on the members have worked at both Michi-
The UAW has initiated work stop- Members are required to be on picket line didn’t wish to speak with gan Truck Plant and Ford Michigan
pages at GM's midsize truck plant in the picket line for six hours, one day the press, or they wished to remain Assembly Plant in Wayne.
Wentzville, Missouri, all of the au- a week. anonymous. “The UAW made me feel like it
tomaker's parts distribution ware- “There are so many people that “The UAW means we can have a wasn't just a job, it was a career,”
houses, and its Lansing Delta are volunteering. They’re not worried better life. A lifestyle that doesn't said Tompkins. “I’m able to help peo-
Township plant that produces about six hours a day. They’re there have to live below the standards of
Chevrolet Traverse and Buick En- every day, pulling together,” said living,” said an anonymous member. See Local 900, page 12
clave SUVs. Smith.
The union has expanded its There are around 130-140 mem-
strike against the automakers each bers stationed at the Ford Michigan
week since the strike began and now Assembly Plant’s gates on any given
there are 25,300 of the UAW’s day during the strike.
146,000 autoworkers on strike. “I’m out here in support of the fu-
“I’m so proud of Local 900 and to ture generation of Ford employees,”
be a member of Local 900,” said said Kathy Bowles, Ford retiree. “I
Mike Smith, UAW Local 900 Vice live an hour from here but I still
President. “The solidarity that’s come twice a week.”
there. We’re out there every day in all Bowles worked for Ford for 20
weather elements. We’re out there for years before she was required to
not only our cause, but the cause for medically retire after obtaining in-
future employees.” juries while working on the assembly
Smith has been the Local 900 line.
vice president since 2011 and has Her husband, her son, and her
worked for Ford Motor Company for brother-in-law all work for Ford still.

6 · October 2023 · The Wayne Dispatch