Texas Autoworkers Union Holds Political Conference
Texas State CAP (Community Action Program -- the UAW's political arm) held a conference in early November at the Hyatt hotel in Austin. Coach Tiner, Chairman of UAW 816's retiree club, and Gene Lantz, Retiree Chairman at Local 848, attended to make sure that retiree issues received a good hearing. It wasn't necessary because UAW Region 5 Director Jim Wells gave a rousing speech that included a call to defend pensions, health care, drug benefits, and Social Security.
Wells began by talking about hard times. Union people are seeing their benefits decreased, jobs outsourced, and major corporations going using the new bankruptcy laws to destroy union contracts. Wells put the blame squarely on the government and said, "If you think politics doesn't matter, you have your head in the sand!" Wells and two other major speeches were recorded and will be played on the "Workers Beat" program on KNON radio, 89.3 FM, 8-9 AM each Wednesday.
Among the other speakers were the top leaders of the Texas AFL-CIO and Lesley Ramsey, Director of Texas Fair Trade Watch. Becky Moeller, Secretary Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO said that the Alliance for Retired Americans will finally be established in Texas by next Spring. Union education expert JD Gray led an afternoon-long discussion on political issues. He said that Region 5 continues to distinguish itself in fund raising. State Representative Roberto Alonzo attended the final events.
A longer version of this report is on www.uaw848.org
Coach Tiner of Local 816