UAW Local 1832 Update
On April 30, 2008, the bargaining
committee of UAW Local 1832 enter into negotiations with Peterbilt
Motors Co. (PACCAR) knowing that their contract would expire on
June 20, 2008. The UAW has represented the workers at Peterbilt
since 1973. During that time, there has been only two contracts
settle without a work stoppage. As you can see, the members of
UAW Local 1832 are dealing with a ruthless company. Even with
this history, the committee was hopeful that they could reach
an agreement without another work stoppage.
It was not long into the negotiations that the
committee realized that the company did not want an agreement.
The company did not want to listen to the Union’s proposals.
The company had their on agenda in mind; that was to break UAW
Local 1832. When asked questions about their proposals, they could
not answer. When asked for information concerning other location,
they did not provide the requested information. With all these
questions and informational request unanswered, the committee
had no choice but to request that the negotiation continue past
the expiration date. After all, the committee had only met with
the company for less than 30 hours during this period of time.
On June 23, 2008, the employees of Peterbilt (Members
of UAW Local 1832) came to work to find out they were locked out.
This force UAW Local 1832 to file Labor Board charges against
Peterbilt and set up an informational picket line. The committee
has only met with the company two times with the company since
then. The last time was on August 20, 2008. This committee stands
ready to meet with the company any day, any time and any place
the company wants to meet.
The members of UAW Local 1832 are standing strong
for what the UAW stands for and voicing the concerns and struggles
for every working person in America.
Several years ago, UAW Vice President General
Holiefield nicknamed Local 1832 “THE FIGHTING 1832nd”.
During the Bus, Engine and Truck Council meetings in Detroit last
month, Local 1832 President Mike Pardue was presented with a large
plaque formalizing this nickname. The plaque was presented to
the Local 1832’s Executive Board on December 22, 2008 and
to the Membership on January 7, 2009. The Membership’s efforts
over the years in preventing Paccar’s and Peterbilt’s
attempts to force substandard contracts on them is something they
are proud of, and this plaque is greatly appreciated as a symbol
of their struggles.
Because of the generosity of the Region 8 Staff, Secretaries,
Local Union Memberships and various Bus, Engine and Truck Councils;
Members of Local 1832 who are involved in the lockout were given
grocery gift cards just before the Christmas Holidays and the
minor children were given toys gift cards. Many Members and families
have sent thank you cards, in appreciation and expressing that
without this support, their children’s Christmas would have
not been nearly as good.
President Mike Pardue and the Members of UAW Local
1832 are very grateful to the UAW International and all other
Union members for their support through this struggle.
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