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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Two short labor news bytes |
Current rating: 0 |
by Michael Feltes
Email: mfeltes (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified!) |
18 Aug 2002
Modified: 22 Aug 2002 |
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Two short labor newsbites for your consumption. |
Steven Yokich, the recently retired president of the United Auto Workers,
died yesterday of a stroke at age 66. A third-generation unionist, Yokich
started his career in the UAW as a tool and die maker, moving up to
regional staff and leadership positions, then to vice presidency of the
international. Yokich assumed the presidency of the UAW in 1995,
succeeding Owen Bieber. His seven-year reign saw a decline in UAW
membership from 826,000 at the beginning of his two terms to 672,000 at
the end of last year. He handed over the reins of the United Auto Workers
to Ron Gettelfinger this past June.
His legacy as an union leader is mixed. It includes the expansion of UAW
organizing to new horizons like graduate student-workers and state
employees and a guarantee in negotiations with the Big Three automakers
that no production would be shipped overseas during the life of the
current contract. However, the union was not able to organize new
automobile plants built by foreign automakers in the South, and large sums
of union money were spent on boondoggles, such as a golf course at the
union's retreat in Black Lake, MI. Yokich also presided over the debacle
at the Accuride plant in Henderson, KY, in which UAW Local 2036 was
decertified.
He is survived by his wife, Tekla, and two children.
The California Legislature passed legislation last week to put binding
arbitration in place for farmworkers' unions that are negotiating first
contracts with employers. The bill is currently on Governor Gray Davis'
desk. He has until August 23 to sign or veto.
The bill's provisions are simple. If unions and employers are unable to
come to an agreement within 90 days of a successful union election, the
contract will be submitted to an arbiter who will enforce a contract in 30
days' time.
Marc Grossman, spokesperson for the United Farm Workers, points to the
lack of success that California farm workers' unions have had since their
legalization in 1975. Unions have won 428 elections from then until now.
158 of those victories - only 37% - have progressed to a contract.
Enforcement of penalties assessed by the state Agricultural Labor
Realtions Board against employers who do not negotiate in good faith has
been lacking, as well.
Gov. Gray Davis, who is campaigning for the fall election, will have to
make a tough choice. Signing the bill into law could incur the wrath of
agricultural giants like Pictsweet, while vetoing the law invites vigorous
attacks from the UFW. Union activists are holding vigil at the state
capital right now, and Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the union with Cesar
Chavez, has said that she will hunger strike if the governor vetoes the
bill. Davis is already on shaky ground due to the blackouts caused by
Enron's manipulation of the California energy markets. He has 6 days to
make his choice on this legislation. |
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babysister |
by SUE "FELTNER" DELL
grandmasue813 (nospam) aol.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
22 Aug 2002
Modified: 02:16:18 PM |
YOKICH FAMILY,
YOU MUST BE VERY PROUD OF MR. YOKICHS ACHEIVEMENTS.
I REMEMBER WHEN YOU MOVED IN ON REDWOOD IN TROY. MRS. YOKICH,(TEHLA). I THOUGHT YOU TOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOL.
FONDLY,
SUE "FELTNER" DELL |
