Local 2069 Members Brave Ice and Cold Corporate Heads In Strike

As of February 18, 2008, UAW Local 2069 is entering the seventeenth day of a strike against Volvo Trucks North America. At midnight, on Thursday, January 31, 2008, International UAW Local 2069 with its 2,467 members went on strike and our second shift production was asked to leave the plant in the same manner in which they build trucks; both professionally and with pride. They did. Our third shift employees were asked to come to the hall immediately and in a driving ice storm, they were asked to set up a picket line, which they did. They had picket signs made, shelters set up, wood hauled, and fire barrels lit by 3:00 a.m. Our people were amazing! Most were not dressed for the weather, but no one complained. Many members cut holes in trash bags and used them as rain coats. It rained so hard that everyone was soaked, and yet their zeal for the job at hand was not dampened. They held their signs high as passerbys honked their horns. These people were heroes to me.

Daylight found us scrambling to get ponchos, food, and drinks for our people. Our Community Services Committee sprang into action acquiring donations and commitments for food and services needed on a regular basis. We hauled more wood to all three picket stations letting Volvo know we were in this for the long haul. Our phones were ringing off the hook with members wanting to know about their assigned picket times and the Strike Assistance Program. We had people step up and offer to answer the phones and had the Member’s List and Strike Captains in place. There were enough volunteers for strike counselors, and the kitchen was shaping up nicely.

The freezing rain continued to fall, but we had accomplished a great deal within the first 10 hours. The news media had set up a truck outside for a live broadcast for the noon and 6:00 o’clock news. Members were dropping by to see what they could do to help. Finally at 4:00 p.m. Friday evening, the freezing rain stopped. The sun even came out briefly. Saturday was beautiful with temperatures in the 60’s, but nightfall brought high winds and falling temperatures. Sunday morning found us repairing shelters and signs damaged by the wind, but spirits remained high.

I have been impressed with our membership. We have become like a small village at the hall with its inhabitants taking care of each other’s needs. All you have to do is mention something needs doing and the next thing you know, someone is doing it.

The support of other unions has exceeded all our expectations. They have called to inquire about our needs and came through in a way that makes us “UNION PROUD!” They have come to stand with us on the picket lines, holding our UAW ON STRIKE signs with as much pride and conviction as we have. They have offered words of encouragement that only a fellow union member can give. This has made us even stronger because we know we are not standing alone.

Our community has given us a lot of support as well. Most understand how important our wages and benefits are to the area. We have not had, nor do we expect to have, any members cross the line. There have been twenty-seven people cross the picket line into the plant, with none of those being Local 2069 members.

We have conducted ourselves in a sober and responsible manner both on the line and at the hall. We are located approximately one-half of a mile from the local high school. These students may never see another picket line in their lifetime. What they see on this line will forever be the way they see the UAW and this local. At first they did not know to expect. A bunch of grown-ups on the side of the road, holding signs, asking people to honk their horns for support. But now, all the bus drivers blow their horns, the kids wave, and we wave back. We are protecting our future and we need not be ashamed of the principles on which we stand. We are standing side by side on the line, young and old, high seniority and low, new hires and retirees; all doing their parts. We will win because we are UNION.

In solidarity,
Randy Rakes
Education Committee Chairman
UAW Local 2069
Dublin, Virginia