The American Axle Strike has waged on for over three months now here in Hamtramck, Michigan, as well as at other locations across the country including New York. The strike represents the tight fisted American politics of our time which leave little room for change or resistance on the receiving end. Rather we find ourselves with prescription lives that are difficult for the average person to detach from.
This strike is particularly nasty as just three years ago American Axle was ranked as one of the top five companies to work for in USA and abroad. Yet American Axle's CEO Fred Dauch has held just as stern as any other imperial dictator of our time and refuses to bargain with the Teamsters for anything but job losses and a slice in wages by fifty percent. Meanwhile the company aggressively expands beyond in Mexico, China and elsewhere. Many of these workers whom have been with the company since its birth in the mid nineties have found themselves shafted to say the least.
Living in Hamtramck, I have made a point to circle the plant everyday sometimes making several loops and honking for the union. Through snow, rain and heat these workers and their fellow union friends from across the spectrum have sent a message of solidarity. Now three months later it looks like the Axle workers will have to take a cut despite grand profits on the executive side.
Senator Hillary Clinton has written to CEO Dauch and shamed him for the companies actions.
I shame the executives for their actions and the greater picture of elite executives in the world whom seem to have been set off on a rampage since President Bush's conservative ku and imperial presidency has taken place.
Perhaps soon we will wake from this nightmare and find the voice demonstrated by these union workers to stand fast. Their victory is in that feat. Though they have not received fair treatment it is time to reorganize and patiently await the next fight. You are my heroes!
