A little over 400/640 members came to the local to have their "no" votes registered & filmed today before they were mailed in = 63% "no" & an end run around gm/uaw's forcing an unconstitutional mail-in vote after the local had already voted to reject contract changes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCAL 23 STOOD!!!!!
Congratulations to all who took part! You stood not only for your membership but for all UAW GM!!!!!!!
Everyone should be DARN proud of your Union brothers and sisters at Local 23!
Greg Clark....you the man!!!! Local 23 has the mostest sweetest chairman EVER! What a lucky local you are! Not only is he tough and smart, but also a true gentleman and the sweetest thing I have ever met!
And local 23, you did your chairman proud too! Although he was tired, there was a lot to coordinate for this vote, he brought me my most favorite drink in the world, two of them, bought us a meal, and was sweet and patient and kind with every member there. And he was so proud of his membership. So proud of all of you.
You did not let yourselves be intimidated by the Region, the International, the state, the press. You stood your ground and did us ALL proud! I'm so proud of all of you!
http://www.factoryrat.com/factoryrat/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=13129Background here:
In some unions a mail-in ballot is common, but in UAW auto plants, it is unheard of. Members vote in person at the union hall or in the plant. But now the UAW International is forcing a mail-in vote on a concessionary contract reopener at a GM local—after the membership of Local 23 in Indianapolis voted overwhelmingly not to reopen. All this is taking place without the support of the local union.
Regional officials are trying this end run because at an informational meeting August 15 attended by most of the membership, members shouted down the international reps who’d planned to present the concessions, who then left the meeting.
GM had slated to close its Indianapolis Metal Fab stamping plant, but then J.D. Norman Industries, a little-known metal components company with only a six-year track record, offered to buy it. J.D. Norman didn't want to accept the contract’s successor clause, though, which says any new owner must honor the contract in place. He presented an alternative contract at half wages—$15.50 instead of $29—that also gutted the protections won around working conditions.
http://labornotes.org/blogs/2010/09/end-run-indy-uaw-forces-members-vote-cutting-pay-halfDemo on Saturday.