Local 848 members Jeff Benge, Gene Lantz, Romeo Munoz, and James Splawn gave all day December 9 to travel to Wichita Falls for UAW 2157's two rallies against cutbacks from Delphi management.
We started at Local 276 (General Motors)
that morning, and returned after 7 PM. The long trip gave us opportunities to
meet with the auto people and discuss the momentous events taking place in our
own union and in all American industry. Several of us carried out recorded interviews
to be played on KNON radio's "Workers Beat" program the following
Wednesday.
At the rallies, UAW 2157 President Darrell
Shepard presented five area religious leaders and the Mayor of the city.
Wichita Falls media coverage was extensive. President Shepard said that Delphi's
Senior Executives are to divide $22 million during bankruptcy. The top 500 executives
would divide $88 million when they emerge from bankruptcy. Shepard had a warning
for everybody: "It's all about the top 500, it's not about the employees."
"Sooner or later, it will come to you if we let this go by."
A good group of UAW active and retired members made the bus trip to Wichita Falls from UAW 276