"Hey - Hey- Ho-Ho-Union Busting Gotta' Go!" was the rally cry lead by UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and Region 8 Director Gary Casteel on February 13, 2003, as they marched in support of members of UAW Local 1832 in Madison, Tennessee. Local 1832 members have been locked out of their jobs at Peterbilt since September 03, 2002. Joining President Gettelfinger and Director Casteel were the UAW International Executive Board and over 2000 UAW members from across Region 8. The group assembled in front of the plant and marched to the locked gate entrance.

President Gettelfinger and Director Casteel, along with Local 1832 President Mike Pardue, climbed in the back of a pickup truck and addressed the crowd.
"We want to send a message to Paccar (Peterbilt's parent company), that what is happening here is wrong, totally wrong," President Gettelfinger shouted to the crowd. "Our members are willing to return to work today, under the old contract until a new contract can be settled. Paccar wants our members to take a 300% increase in their health care cost, a 600% increase in prescription drug cost and a "raise" of 40 cents an hour. They offer this while top executive pay has increased 41.6% in the past two years. We appreciate this community who has stood with our members. We have members of the local police department here today, and we appreciate the respect they are showing us. The community knows this isn't right. We have many religious leaders who have come out in support of our members and we appreciate them. We thank Director Casteel and his staff for the support they have given this membership and we stand firmly behind them. Again we call on Paccar to allow our members to return to work so they can provide for their families."

International Secretary-Treasure Elizabeth Bunn joined the group and announced that the International Union and many other local unions from around the region had brought donations for the workers at Local 1832. A total of $30,000 was collected this week for assistance to the families of the locked out members.

Local 1832 members build Peterbilt trucks in Madison, Tennessee. In the middle of negotiations last summer, PACCAR decided to break off contract talks. When Local 1832 members returned to work on September 03, 2002, they found the gates locked. The local union offered to return to work under the old contract until a settlement could be reached, but the company refused. It isn't like PACCAR is going broke. They have turned a profit every year for 62 years. In 2001, PACCAR turned $173.6 million in profits. During the second quarter of 2002, their profits were up 86% from the previous year. Compensation for the top five PACCAR officials has increased 41.6% in the past two years. When you compare this to a 1.5% annual increase the company offered Local 1832 members, there is no justice.

Local 1832 members have been living on unemployment benefits, with the International Union paying their insurance. Local 1832 President Mike Pardue announced to the crowd that the UAW International Executive Board had voted to extend their payments on benefits.

There are approximately 750 families directly affected by this lockup, in terms of Local 1832 members. However, there are other families beginning to feel the affect as well. The community of Madison and surrounding areas currently have 750 families with diminished buying power, so local merchants are feeling the pinch as well.

"We would like to thank everyone for their show of support," remarked Local 1832 President Mike Pardue. "Our members are very grateful for the support of our brothers and sisters. Together, we will stand until our members are allowed to return to work."

Contact Region 8
Webmaster John Davis

All information contained with the Region 8 Web Site is copyrighted© by UAW Region 8.
It cannot be reused or printed without written consent from UAW Region 8.