One summer day, the family and I boarded an American Airlines MD80 heading
to Detroit, Michigan. We arrived around noon and headed to get the rental car.
The whole morning went easily. We headed to the hotel for the night.
We came in a day early to see Detroit. Bring or get a map. The roads are not
laid out to what we Texans are used to. After dropping off the luggage, we headed
to the downtown area to see the GM building and the UAW headquarters. Then,
we headed back to Embassy Suites where we stayed the first night. It’s the best
deal in town for two adults and four children.
Day 2. The whole family got up and headed down to the free breakfast
that comes with the suite rental. It was not what I expected -- cold cereal
and stale bagels. There was a chef making omelets, fresh fruit, and about anything
a person eats for breakfast. We checked out and headed to the Double Tree Hilton.
This is the prepaid hotel arranged by UAW. We were issued two rooms with adjoining
doors, breakfast coupons, and instructions on what time the bus would come in
the morning. We headed to Windsor, Canada, to see the sights and then headed
to the most southern point of Canada. It’s a national park where Lake Erie flows
down both sides of a finger that sticks out into the lake. It’s well worth the
drive.
Day 3. We awoke to lots of activity in the hallway. Everyone was getting
ready to be first in line to board the two busses sent to drive us to Black
Lake. We got our bags up front with plenty of time for breakfast. It was another
masterpiece with a large selection of choices. Around 9 AM, we boarded a clean,
large, chartered coach with overhead TV’s and plenty of room to stretch out
for the long ride up northern Michigan. We stopped for lunch at an exit that
has several fast food choices. We were given an hour to eat, and then back to
the bus to finish our trip to Blake Lake. Arriving around 3 PM, we pulled up
to a spaciously laid out resort. We checked in and received our room keys, then
boarded a transport bus to the rooms called the “400’s.” After unpacking, we
all headed to the dining room for dinner. We walked down enclosed walkways nicknamed
the “hamster tunnels.” They are mostly glass, so you can enjoy Mother Nature’s
work. There’s no going hungry here, plenty of great food. Right after dinner,
we headed to the main lecture hall to a warm greeting from our brothers and
sisters from all over the United States and Canada.
We then headed back to our rooms in the cool night air.
Day 4. After breakfast, my wife and I had to drop off the kids at their
classrooms in 3 different locations, and still be on time for our class that
started at 9:15. We had 3 instructors, all UAW members with lots of years’ experience
under their belts. We all introduced ourselves, then got to work discussing
the future of the UAW. Around noon, we broke for lunch (hint: don’t eat too
much or you will be drowsy in the afternoon class). We divided into smaller
groups to do exercises in working together for the better of the whole, not
the greed of the single person.
Day 5. We had classroom lessons on UAW history and current affairs. Things
that happened in 1911 are still going on today. The Triangle factory fire in
New York, where exit doors were locked, caused 146 to die. At least 125 of them
were young girls. Total disregard of basic safety precautions and sacrifices
were made in the name of greed. This type of behavior still exists today, supposedly
to stop theft.
Day 6. Wednesday is the half-day of classes in the morning, and the afternoon
is free to go explore the local sights. We headed to the front entrance, where
a rental car van picked us up to retrieve the rental car. Heading west on 68,
crossing highway 75, we found a rafting trip down the Strugest River. It takes
about 1.5 hours and costs 90 dollars for 6 people. After changing into dry clothes,
we headed north on 75 to drive across the 3rd longest suspension bridge in the
world. The toll is 5 dollars round trip. We stopped for dinner at the Big Boys
Restaurant, then headed back towards Black Lake. You can leave the rental car
at the front gate, and the company will come pick it up.
Day 7. Last day of class, we discussed Standing Committees and the reasons
we all should be involved in them. We exchanged email addresses with all of
our brothers and sisters. Keeping in contact with strong union people is a way
to stay on top of all the tactics that large corporations employ against working
families all over this great country that we live in. After dinner, there was
child care available so the adults could go to a party at the on-site pub to
relax with new friends.
Day 8. We got up early to have breakfast and still have time to catch
the bus back to Detroit Airport. We stopped at a different exit on the way back
to Detroit to have lunch. You get about an hour to eat and be back on the bus.
The bus drops you off right in front of the proper gate to catch your flight
back to Dallas DFW Airport.
Summary: I encourage every one of you to take your family to the Walter and
May Reuther Family Education Center at Black Lake. The Center’s programs teach
and share ideas and experiences with other UAW members. It’s a trip of a lifetime
to experience with your family!
--Kyle Dubberke, Steward, Lockheed Martin
The Dubberke family at Local 848
