Electro-Motive: solidarity on the picket line
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 08:23AM According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the company Caterpillar Inc. had revenues of 42.6 billion dollars in 2010. This was up 44.2% from their revenues for 2009. A few weeks ago, this same company demanded that the union members at Electro-Motive in London, Ontario take a pay cut of 55%. This pay cut does not include radical cuts to their pension plan and benefits.
One hears rumours of Caterpillar plants being retooled in Muncie, Indiana. Or is it India or Brazil? How does one make sense of these simple facts and one rumour when they are put next to each other?
Last week some of us went to the picket line to stand with the workers, their families and supporters, knowing that what is at stake is a global movement toward going wherever more profit can be made. In this process, thousands of jobs are lost and thousands of families are left stranded. And what is most daunting is that one can feel very powerless to stop this slow bleed and what feels like inevitable migration of middle class jobs to cheaper job markets. What people on the picket line knew instinctively is that the community of London is being dramatically affected. And this story gets relived over and over in many communities large and small.
The talk among people at the picket line was about the need for all people, from politicians to educators to church leaders to business leaders to come and speak out for the community of London. People were quite clear that in speaking out for London, we are also speaking out for all communities. People seemed to know that the stakes are too high for all of us to begin thinking in terms of us vs. them. It is not us in London versus them in Muncie, Indiana.
It is all of us together trying to raise families with relative financial security, pay bills, contribute to the local community, put in an honest day’s work and care about each other. These desires, too, are repeated all around the world. Letting this truth sink in makes solidarity much more than a slogan. It is our hope. It is what it means to be human.
Margo Ritchie, csj
Reader Comments (6)
Check FORBES to find the total compensation for Caterpillar CEo Douglas Oberhelman (who is also an "independent" Director of Eli Lily - Pharmaceuticals and Director of Ameren Corp. - Power and Energy Co.) and you find the figure $10,550,300. That is $10 and 1/2 million for one CEO. Will his compensation be cut by 50% if the Electro-Motive Diesel workers accept that cut? I have read that the total pay package for the 425 locked-out EMD workers in London is $60 million (unable to confirm this figure). So one CEO makes 1/6 th the total earnings of 425 workers.
I hope Londoners will attend the Ontario Federation of Labor rally at 11 a.m. on Saturday January 21.
Mike
Why do the city workers and others that are paid from the public purse, why do they make so much money?
A worker in the London library might make $30.00 per hour for a 35 hour work week, plus benefits. These workers are paid from the public purse.
Many of the ElectroMotive workers are skilled tradesmen, they cannot just be replaced overnight without seriously jeopardizing the quality of the product that is manufactured. Why should these workers have to sink to the lowest possible level in their wages, why don't the public sector employees take a wage cut? With so few people working, who is going to pay the taxes to pay for the public services?
All sectors of the workforce need to show restraint.
The workers at EMC (caterpilar) make the salary they have is twofold 1) their wages and benefits were tied to general motors for decades prior to the sale 6 years ago. 2) the profit margin in relationship to labour and profit is very healthy. I hope this answers gord's question. On behalf of our members and their families I would like to thank the sisters for their support on the line. Your support highlights the social justice of this epic battle and helps me with the energy I need. In Solidarity.
Tim Carrie
President CAW Local 27
this is the most perfect depiction of our struggle i have read yet.
this is much bigger than just our plant , its about family and community.
I think I can speak on behalf of all of us that are on the line and our loved ones,
THANK YOU for your support.
I want to thank the Sister's of St. Joseph's for coming down to the line to show your support and for bringing soup and goodies to the men, ladies and children that were there that day. But mostly to thank you for posting this letter of support for all of our community to read.
Very well said, This is exactly what the community needs in situations as these: understanding and support! We can accomplish little as one, but we can change the world as a whole.
Tammy
Now we have an example of how the 1% is negatively affecting the lives of the 99%. We have a specific company to protest against in Victoria Park on Saturday, January 21, 2011. How do we use this mass protest effectively so that the company Caterpillar Inc. will want to change? Do you think calling the company names like "bad" and "greedy" will work? Would protesters look more credible if they cut out the insults and just politely asked for compassion and social responsibility? It is natural to be reactive and emotional but it may work against us. Sometimes, it is not about asking for change, it is about how you ask for it. Hope to see everyone at the rally!