I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
DETROIT — Several hundred UAW members and supporters gathered for a rally at American Axle headquarters Thursday as shareholders met for the company’s annual meeting.
The largest demonstration since the strike began 59 days ago, hundreds of picketers assembled at Local 235 by midday and spread to nearly every entrance of the sprawling American Axle facility. The largest group of protesters marched at the gated entrance to corporate headquarters blocking cars that entered. Drivers of foreign cars met with particular anger; the group shouted, “Nice KIA, scab!” as they slowly let one car through their ranks. Some cars driving past slowed and honked horns, boosting protesters’ spirits.
Many picketing UAW members expressed frustration at American Axle’s expectation for steep wage and benefit cuts, saying they were in a lose-lose situation financially. Dan Marsee, an American Axle employee for 13 years, said, “I can tell you that a 50 percent wage and benefit cut is completely unacceptable. If I keep on striking, I’ll lose everything. If I take what they’re offering, I’ll lose everything just a little further down the road.” Marsee says he will not cross the picket line under any circumstance even if it means filing bankruptcy.
Continued -Picketers said they had no idea how long the strike would last and had not heard of any progress in the negotiation. One protester who asked to remain anonymous said of a recent UAW local meeting, “We went to the meeting Sunday and were told they’re no further ahead with this negotiation than they were the day we walked out the door. We’ve been lied to by our local, the international and this company that wraps itself in the flag.” When asked how long he could continue striking, he said, “We’re going to go until we lose every damned thing we have and then we’re going to come and take it away.”
Monday, the Associated Press reported that UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the recent pace of negotiations has been “excruciatingly slow,” and said this is the company’s strategy. American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers denied that claim.
UAW Local 235 Shop Chairman Dana Edwards said that Axle is in the process of evaluating and testing new workers who responded to employment ads placed several weeks ago. He said the company contends that they are not replacement workers, but rather to fill spots opened from attrition.
The strike action continues to affect tens of thousands of General Motors employees and production at 30 GM factories.
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