By: Alex Ortiz

I attended the “NO KINGS!” demonstration here in Flint and witnessed the thousands of people from the community voicing their opposition to what is happening to our country and our government. People’s signs expressed their disgust with personal freedoms being taken away and others were about Social Security cuts and tax cuts for billionaires. Some were about women’s rights being stripped and others were against a President who is trying to act like a king. Many were against ICE. Everyone was peaceful and there were only a few people driving by that gave us the one finger salute.

For those reasons and many others are why I went out. I know that we have many diverse opinions within our Union and this Local. So, you may not agree with me. That is your right, but if you support this administration’s actions that violate the United States Constitution, will you care when your rights are violated? Or, when you need assistance, will the help arrive from the tax dollars that you have paid and be there to help you?

The UAW has a long history of supporting civil rights and leading the fight against injustice. The stripping of birthright citizenship by executive order, blatant disregard for the emoluments clause and punishing people for using their First Amendment right to criticize these actions are just a few of the grossly un-American positions of this administration.

I hope you will all stand up when the time comes to save our Democracy, and most of all, our shared country because we are slipping into fascism. If you don’t see it, you aren’t paying attention.

There is a UAW Skilled Trades Conference in Detroit that I am heading to and will report out on next month. We have representatives from our four GM units attending. I know that they are not the only ones with skilled trades now. Our Lear Unit has a recognized skilled trade classification with their new agreement. For an IPS Unit to have tradespersons is an asset to that Unit, the Corporation, and the UAW.

There was another Local 659 baseball trip to a Tigers’ game last month that didn’t make it into the paper. The tickets sold out and there were 2 buses filled for the trip. There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into organizing these events. Deonte Stephen, thank you for making the event happen!

CCA Swartz Creek held their annual Golf Fundraiser for Old Newsboys on October 5th, and the weather could not have been better. I know how much goes into planning these events and it’s not easy. Pat Wilson and all of the volunteers did a great job to squeeze it in before the snow flies.

Additionally, CCA is having another fundraiser this year! Look for the notice in this Searchlight and postings in plant for a Bowling Fundraiser on November 23rd at Grand Blanc Lanes in Flint. Get a team together and come out for a great time!

Your UAW Local 659 Facebook page and website always have the most updated information about postings and Searchlight articles. Also, check your in-plant Union boards for additional postings.