President
Gettlefinger Speaks
UAW International President Ron Gettlefinger started his speech to the Summer School in Norman, Oklahoma, on June 9 by praising the members of Region 5. He congratulated all UAW members on reaching the union's 70th anniversary, which will fall on August 26. He pointed out that the year also marks the 35th anniversary of the accident that took the life of Walter and May Reuther. It is the 10th anniversary of President Owen Bieber's retirement; consequently the university will open up all the records of Bieber's presidency.
Gettlefinger acknowledged union problems, but was sure they can be overcome: "Times are tough out there, but we're excited about the future. And we are optimistic about the future." He went over some of the statistics on union membership, but added, "Those figures are going to strengthen our resolve!"
He said that polls have shown that Americans want to join a union. He speculated, "It's fear. It's stress that's keeping them away." He expressed confidence in the union's political program to change the basic situation in America.
Trade issues were emphasized. Gettlefinger said, "All of us have to be
sales people for the products and services that we offer." The President
blamed both major political parties for having passed the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He gave the union's stance: "We are not against
trade. We are for fair trade, but we are against the abuse of women, and men,
and children in those countries for the sake of a dollar." He pointed out
that the United States is currently running an unbelievably high trade deficit.
Future trade agreements should stress human rights, worker rights,
environmental rights, protection from import surges, and enforceable provisions,
the UAW President said. He added, "Also, when there is a trade deficit
between two countries for two years in a row, we should be required to go back
and renegotiate the agreement."
To emphasize the current situation, Gettlefinger said, "In the month of May, our country lost 7,000 jobs. And we all know that 2,700,000 jobs have gone away during the current administration.
The next big topic was health care. Gettlefinger said that pharmaceutical corporations have spent fabulous amounts on lobbying in Washington DC. An estimated 45,000,000 Americans have no insurance. He gave the remedy while the audience applauded, "This union stands for national health care!'
"Social Security needs more jobs, not the continuing erosion of jobs," Gettlefinger said, "This is not a fight about the size of a monthly check. It is about what kind of people we are and what kind of America we want! It's a fight about an America where we care about each other and where we care about the common good."
The short speech was lengthened by almost continuous applause. Gettlefinger summarized, "We are going to win!" He said, "We won't falter, and we won't fail, because we have more than a union card in our pocket. We have union in our heart. And when the union's inspiration through the workers blood shall run, there can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun."
The audience broke out in spontaneous singing of the American union anthem, "Solidarity Forever" as Gettlefinger completed his discourse. The speech was recorded and will be played on KNON radio, 89.3 FM or www.knon.org, between 8 and 9 AM on June 15.
Region 5 District Director (left) posed with Ruth Hise of UAW 967 in Greenville,
Texas, and UAW International President Ron Gettlefinger on June 9