L'chaim

Wed, Jan 13, 2010 : 1:12 p.m.

True to US media form, the notice above ignores the fact that auto workers stood outside and distributed fliers passersby. They said: NO TO A JOBLESS RECOVERY! Auto Worker Rally at the North American International Auto Show Mon., January 11th, 10:30am - Noon As auto workers, we believe it's necessary to address the economic and environmental crisis our entire nation faces. Policies can change if working families demand it: Save Jobs and Communities The auto industry still stands at the center of the American economy, directly employing and indirectly affecting the lives of millions. We need to retool the industry to meet the challenge of today's world. Transform the Industry, Save the Environment Congress needs to establish a new national industrial policy that will direct, plan, and finance the transformation of the auto industry by converting all the closed plants. We need to expand to produce not only fuel-efficient automobiles and electric cars but green energy technologies beginning with building a mass transit infrastructure (buses, light rail and high-speed trains). Retool factories to manufacture wind and water turbines. Auto workers can be the basis for stopping the planet's warming! Put workers back to work manufacturing what we need to get out of this environmental and economic crisis. A National Single-Payer Health System The health care bills passed by the House and the Senate subsidize the health insurance companies. They will not cover everyone and reinforce a two-tiered health system. When pressed, even the Big Three concede that a national health plan would save them billions. By extending Medicare to all we can quickly build an efficient national system that spends a minimum on administrative costs and a maximum on health. Employee Free Choice Act (Card Check) The majority of workers want to join unions but each year thousands are intimidated and fired because of corporate programs designed to bully workers. Employee Free Choice would make it possible for workers to join unions and to negotiate contracts that will improve wages, benefits and working conditions. Workers who belong to unions make an average of 20% more than non-union workers. Higher-waged jobs build a robust economy. Contact: Al Benchich, ajbenchich@mac.com, 586-489-5838, or Wendy Thompson, wthomp4490@aol.com, 313-892-7974 Check out our website: www.autoworkercaravan.org