Unions, community fight against lockout

Members of United Steelworkers Local 12934-02 and their labor-community supporters walked a picket line for more than three hours and then held a rally here on Oct. 22 to protest the lockout of 70 union workers by Carquest, a chain of auto supply stores. Bay City, with 36,000 people, is about 100 miles northwest of Detroit.

United Steelworkers Local 12934-02 and supporters picket on Oct. 22. WW photo: Bryan G. Pfeifer

The union called the rally to put Carquest on notice that the workers are in a fighting mood and have widespread labor-community support.

“The support is overwhelming. I never would have thought it,” Brandon Bellinger, a driver of three years at the distribution center, told Workers World. Bellinger stood in a group of union sisters and brothers and their allies as many passing cars honked support.

Dan Kennell, president of Local 12934-02 and a shipping-receiving clerk with 30 years’ seniority, said the company had refused to extend contract talks past Sept. 24. The workers had proposed extending the negotiations until Oct. 30, but the company locked them out instead on Sept. 25. After company representatives told the Steelworkers to leave the premises, workers with as much as 45 years’ seniority were put on the street by the greedy company.

But the workers refused to bow down, so Carquest finally agreed to schedule a bargaining session with the Steelworkers on Oct. 28. Until the next contract is won, picket lines will continue at all three gates and visits to Carquest franchises will continue in an effort to stop scab parts from moving. The Bay City distribution center warehouse services Carquest franchises for most of Michigan.

Because they’re locked out, the workers are not receiving unemployment benefits, and Carquest has cut off their health insurance. The Steelworkers are paying $175 weekly to each worker and helping them with their needs. While working, the workers make on average about $15 per hour. The union reports that they receive daily donations of beverages, food, firewood and other supplies from labor-community supporters.

Near the picket line at the main entrance are three tents containing kitchens and supplies, two port-a-johns, and a large hand-painted sign reading, “Carquest locked out union employees—USW.”

During the rally, private security hired by Carquest videotaped those on the picket line and allowed a couple of scab trucks through the line. The Steelworkers report this is happening daily. The scabs don’t have it easy, as they are surrounded and followed by angry Steelworkers and their allies, in particular younger workers. According to the Steelworkers, although scab workers inside the warehouse and scab drivers are moving some auto parts, the number is well below what it was before the lockout.

Solidarity makes us strong!

Those at the support rally included many spouses, partners and other family members of the locked-out Steelworkers. Wide-ranging union support came from the Union of Part-Time Faculty-American Federation of Teachers, the Michigan Education Association, the United Auto Workers, various Steelworkers locals, the Utility workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Ironworkers and the Teamsters, who have refused to cross the picket line. The Bay County Labor Council AFL-CIO is also assisting the locked-out Steelworkers in many ways.

Support messages can be called into the union hall at 989-667-0660 or e-mailed to Dan Nadolski at [email protected]. Supporters can also call Carquest’s customer care line to demand the company bargain in good faith with the Steelworkers: 877-735-2233. Or call Bay City Carquest at 989-686-3114.

Supporters can join the picket line at 508 McGraw St. in Bay City from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Supporters coming to the picket line are encouraged to bring solidarity picket signs and such provisions as water, coffee, firewood and snacks.