How many autoworkers have died from Covid-19?
How many more UAW families are awaiting diagnosis?
Who is ultimately responsible for the health and safety of UAW families?
On March 17, Caravan Facility Management, a contractor employed by
GM, fired Travis Watkins, a UAW Bargaining Chair of a unit in Amalgamated
UAW Local 167. Watkins works facility skilled trades at GM Components Holding
[GMCH] in Wyoming, MI.
Termination deprives Watkins of income; denies him justification of
unemployment benefits; and strips Travis and his two children of health
insurance in the midst of a virulent pandemic.
Management terminated Watkins because he posted on March 16, on a
private Facebook page, “GMCH employees were walked out of the plant today
with suspected COVID-19 symptoms . . . I’ve reported this to Local Leadership.”
One of the employees who was removed from the plant responded to the
post, “Hey one of those was me!” The UAW member then described the
symptoms and reported, “I can’t come back until my Dr says ok.”
Besides being the Bargaining Chairman for his unit, Watkins is also the
Chairman of the By-Laws Committee. He is actively involved at Local 167 E-
Board meetings and regular union meetings. Caravan Facility Management
provides janitors and skilled building maintenance. A few years ago when
Watkins started working at GMCH most of the janitors were not paying union
dues. Watkins convinced them to sign on with the UAW. For organizers, the
struggle never ends.
On the morning of March 17, Watkins got a message from his supervisor
stating they needed to talk. He asked a fellow worker to come to the meeting with
him per Weingarten Rights because he suspected by the tone of voice it may be
Disciplinary.
Management denied Watkins his Weingarten Rights by refusing to allow
his union brother to be present. Watkins was subsequently suspended pending
an investigation without union representation. Watkins turned in his badge and
Keys.
On March 18, management met with Watkins and a UAW Serving Rep
from the Regional office at the union hall. Management’s sole reason for
immediate termination was a copy of the aforementioned Facebook post.
Management stated that the posting was a violation of Shop Rule #2:
“Assaulting, fighting, threatening, intimidating, coercing, or interfering with
employees or supervision.”
The union filed a grievance and a request for information. The company
dragged their feet. On March 30, the company declined to share any more
Information.
This is Watkins first infraction. He has a clean record.
Management’s unjustified retaliation against Watkins constitutes threat,
intimidation, and coercion. In a diabolical twist of snaky semantics, management
accused Watkins of threats, intimidation, and coercion. Which is akin to the perp
claiming the victim “asked for it.”
Depriving a family of income and health insurance in the midst of a
pandemic is a depraved assault. Management’s sole basis for discipline is
nothing more than a Facebook post stating a simple fact: two fellow workers
were escorted from the plant because they exhibited coronavirus symptoms.
Why is management so scared?
When I cannot perceive a rational explanation for a behavior, I presume
that I don’t have all the information.
Since management refuses to share the real reason, I think it is fair to
assume the worst: they’re out to get him. Watkins has a target on his back. He
must be a troublemaker.
We know that management is obligated to inform the International UAW
before terminating a Bargaining Chair.
So where is President Rory Gamble, the herald of reform at the helm of the
UAW?
What does President Gamble’s stunning inaction in regard to
management’s assault on our union brother say to the rank and file?
Why after two long weeks of pandemic angst hasn’t President Gamble
slammed his fist on the table?
How can a union president with a modicum of integrity ignore an
aggravated corporate assault on a UAW family?
There’s a perfectly good explanation.
As a founding member of Unite All Workers for Democracy [UAWD]
Watkins and fellow members of UAWD believe that “UAW members should have
the right to directly elect our International leadership. We believe One Member,
One Vote is a much more democratic system of voting as opposed to the
delegate system that has allowed one party to retain control of the UAW for over
70 years.”
Egregious overreaction—the termination of a Bargaining Chair over a
simple, factual Facebook post—raises questions:
Who is threatened by democracy?
Who is intimidated when workers stand up for their rights?
Who feels coerced by solidarity?
Rory Gamble vows to reform the UAW, but he and his Con Caucus cronies
are dead set against direct democracy.
Rory Gamble may be innocent of racketeering, but in the midst of a vicious
pandemic he is guilty of sitting on his hands, zipping his lips, and idly standing
down as a UAW family is stripped of health insurance, income, and hope.
Gamble and the old Concession Caucus talk reform but they walk hand in
hand with the company, a lurid display of partnership in pandemonic times.
While a family deprived of medical care fears for their health and safety,
the silence resounding out of Solidarity House thunders in the ears of betrayed
and disenfranchised members.
Which side are you on, Rory, which side are you on?
Stand in Solidarity,
GreggShotwell