[PEN-L:1956] Re: the state of the labor movement

[naiman@xxxxxxx (Robert Naiman)]

Well, you could talk to Dave Watts, the (now) *former* president of UPIU
Local 7837, the locked-out Staley workers in Decatur. Apparently, according
to a phone conversation I had this morning (unconfirmed, but the source is
reliable), he was defeated for re-election by the "settle at all costs"
faction.
Although the new leadership apparently is refusing to submit Staley's
latest offer to the membership on the grounds that it isn't any different
than the previous offer which was voted down by the membership.
Nonetheless, knowing Dave I think he would not be pessimistic.
Someone else you could talk to would be Larry Solomon, head of UAW Local
751 in Decatur; or for a dissident view, Cameron Austin. Both are reachable
at 751 in Decatur. Finally, you could talk to Jerry Tucker at the New
Directions office in St. Louis. Tucker served as an adviser to both locals,
helped us organize against Pepsi at the AFL-CIO convention, and is full of
interesting opinions. All three phone numbers are obtainable from directory
assistance.

-bob naiman

(I send this to the list because I thought folks would be interested in the
Staley news, plus the same suggestions would go for others interested in
radio interviews, etc.)

>Dear friends,
>
>I have been asked to write an article for Monthly Review on the state
>of the U.S. labor movement.  I'd be interested to know what others
>think.  What things will determine the extent to which the labor
>movement will be renewed?  Is there anything special I should read?
>Are there people with special  insights to whom I should speak?  I'm
>inclined to strike a somewhat optimistic tone.  Am I a fool?  Is this
>my anti-depression medicine talking?
>
>in solidarity,
>
>
>michael yates
>mikey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx