Marines snub UAW olive branch

[Charles Brown <cbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Marines snub UAW olive branch

Reservists will park elsewhere, although union admits mistake banning
nonunion cars, Bush stickers.

By Eric Mayne / The Detroit News

 <http://www.detnews.com/pix/folios/cybersurveymidsizeclear.gif>


DETROIT -- The United Auto Workers union waved a white flag Monday in its
parking skirmish with neighboring reservists, but the 1st Battalion, 24th
Marines are not accepting surrender.


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-2005_9I4RN7E.jpg>
Gettelfinger

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9I4RNJM.jpg>
Rutledge
Facing intense criticism, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger reversed his
decision to ban Marine Corps reservists driving foreign cars or displaying
pro-President Bush bumper stickers from parking at the union's Solidarity
House headquarters in Detroit.

"I made the wrong call on the parking issue, and I have notified the Marine
Corps that all reservists are welcome to park at Solidarity House as they
have for the past 10 years," Gettelfinger said in a statement.

Wounded by what they consider an unpatriotic ambush, the Marines rejected
the union's olive branch and secured an alternative parking lot.

"I talked to Ron; I let him know that I understand he has rescinded his
decision," said Lt. Col. Joe Rutledge, a top-ranking officer at the reserve
infantry rifle battalion. "However, I've made my decision -- either you
support the Marines or you don't."

The Detroit News reported the controversy Sunday.

The UAW has a longstanding policy prohibiting nonunion-made vehicles from
the parking lots at its plants and meeting halls.

Until last week, the union made an exception for the Marines who parked at
Solidarity House on the weekends. The battalion's headquarters is nearby on
East Jefferson.

While both sides say the dispute has been overblown, it revealed the depths
of the UAW's antipathy toward the Bush administration and its concern over
the rise of foreign automakers in the U.S. market.

Gettelfinger and other top UAW International officials say Bush is blatantly
anti-labor and has opposed measures that could have benefited working men
and women.

UAW leaders backed Democratic challenger John Kerry and his running mate
John Edwards in last year's election.

The UAW's reversal Monday followed a barrage of criticism from both union
members and nonunion members. The dispute became instant fodder for such Web
sites as The Drudge Report and various radio programs.

The News received hundreds of e-mails Sunday and Monday about the
controversy, the majority criticizing the UAW's decision.

"I have never belonged to the unions, but I've always bought (domestic)
brand cars," Jenny Pulcerm 74, of Harrison Township. "Right now, I'm driving
a Chrysler. But the next car will definitely not be union-made."

Outside the Marine reservists headquarters, it wasn't hard to find signs of
hard feelings. A Toyota pickup truck parked in front of a phalanx of
military Humvees sported three bumper stickers. One touted Semper Fi, the
Marines' motto, the second was a Bush/Cheney campaign sticker and the third
an anti-UAW sign.

The UAW decision to ban Marines struck a nerve with many who say U.S. armed
forces deserve more respect, especially during a time of war.

And certainly, some said, Marines should be able to support their commander
in chief, President Bush, without facing repercussions.

"The Marines who fought at Iwo Jima -- including yours truly -- and those
who are now in Iraq, took an oath to defend this country and its citizens,"
said Russ Paquette, an 87-year-old lawyer from St. Clair Shores and former
commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines. "There is nothing in
the oath which indicates that we Marines will only fight for citizens who
drive certain automobiles, or who voted in the last election for a certain
president."

Gettelfinger, himself a former Marine Corps reservist, said his initial
decision should not be looked on as a lack of support for the military.

"That certainly was not my intention. ... I fully appreciate the sacrifices
and contributions made by America's reservists, National Guard members and
active duty military personnel and their families," his statement said.

Gettelfinger also acknowledged the decision reflected poorly on the UAW,
which has historically supported the U.S. military.

"The controversy over this decision has overshadowed the many good things
the UAW and our members are doing to support and express our appreciation to
America's servicemen and -women and veterans," he said.

Some supported Gettelfinger's call.

"It took a lot of guts," said Phil Davis, a 58-year-old realtor in Tampa,
Fla. "It was based on principle."

Dominic Roti, a 64-year-old Farmington retiree who worked 37 years for
Chrysler, credits the UAW with setting the benchmark for America's standard
of living.

"They're the ones who are putting bread on the table," Roti said. "We're
accustomed to live a certain way. ... You have a car to go from work, to
home, to the stores -- not like in a lot of European countries. ... The UAW
made it that way for us. We're thankful to them."

But many of those who weighed in said the episode changed their opinion of
the UAW. Bill Reiber of Vista, Calif., whose son is serving in Iraq, is
trading in his Chevrolet S-10 pickup for a vehicle made by a foreign
automaker.

"I'm looking at the Toyota Tacoma," he said. "What (the UAW) did, it just
wasn't right. These are Marines and they have a right, like anybody else in
America, to express their First Amendment rights."

Lt. Col. Rutledge said he's anxious to get past the dispute and get back to
business. Owners of a nearby apartment complex have agreed to allow
reservists to park on their premises.

"I know people are incensed by this thing," Rutledge said, "but in the big
scheme of things, what I do is train Marines and I'm preparing these guys to
go overseas."

You can reach Eric Mayne at (313) 222-2443 or emayne@xxxxxxxxxxxx



Large blunder, or small?

The UAW has reversed its decision not to allow Marine reservists to park
vehicles made by overseas-based automakers or displaying pro-Bush stickers
in its parking lot. But the Marines say they now choose to park elsewhere.
Has the parking lot flap seriously damaged the UAW's reputation?

         Yes
         No

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Previous report

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