‘What does a union do? Fight back!’

While delegates were registering for the United Auto Workers 35th Constitutional Convention outside Cobo Center in Detroit, about 50 militant autoworkers demonstrated outside with the theme “1 million members lost — It’s time to change course.” Among the chants were, “Working people under attack — What does a union do? Fight back!” and “A job is a right — We’re gonna fight, fight, fight.”

The demonstration was called by the rank-and-file activist group Autoworkers Caravan and endorsed by the online discussion groups Factory Rat and Warriors of Labor and by the retiree chapters of UAW Locals 160 and 412.

Many autoworkers are frustrated by the degree to which the UAW leadership has become cooperative with the bosses of General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and their suppliers. They are tired of being asked to take major pay and benefit concessions, purportedly to keep the companies in business and save jobs. That concessions do not save jobs is underscored by the fact that the UAW’s numbers have fallen from a high of 1.6 million members in 1979 to 355,000 today.

Among those demonstrating were delegates to the convention, elected and sent by their locals. In meetings after the rally, they reviewed the lengthy resolutions book that the top leadership will ask delegates to ratify. There is a great deal of progressive content in the book, from support for the Employee Free Choice Act to calling for the repeal of Arizona’s racist SB1070 to international solidarity, although on most issues the language could be stronger. What is most lacking is any formula for changing how the union functions — for reactivating the rank and file to win justice, both at the bargaining table and in our communities.

Those issues are addressed, however, in a separate book containing all resolutions submitted to the convention by various locals. Some, drawn up by Caravan activists, call for international solidarity, converting closed plants to create “green” jobs, defending every worker’s right to a job and “rebuilding our fighting union.” Others address issues such as discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression, improving union democracy and the need for the labor movement to call a national protest — “Solidarity Day III.” In past conventions it has been nearly impossible for local delegates to get their submitted resolutions discussed.

Knowing the convention is tightly controlled by the UAW machine, activists met after the demonstration to strategize on how to challenge the class-collaborationist leadership on the floor.