:: rawblogXport ::

:: Sunday, June 06, 2004 ::

On D-Day, a factory strike shamed Cincinnati By Barry M. Horstman, Cincinnati Post
United Auto Workers Union Local 647, which represented the workers, strongly objected to the wildcat strike, which it blamed largely on about two dozen 'instigators and agitators.' UAW officials also accused the United Mine Workers of spurring on strikers in an attempt to persuade workers to change unions when their contract expired five months later -- a charge that the mine workers denied.

'The agitation of a handful which has led to this strike will be welcomed in Berlin and Tokyo,' a union statement said. A joint union-company statement added: 'It is difficult to understand that anyone would place personal prejudice ahead of duty to flag and country and his obligation to those boys facing death in the firing line.'

Noting that the walkout violated the union's no-strike and anti- discrimination clauses, local UAW President Robert Spitzmiller continually exhorted his members to return to their posts and encouraged management to dismiss all workers who refused to do so.

posted 5:40 PM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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