Auto workers end strike against AP Parts Co
1985Shirley Pasholk 1985-03Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 5 →
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TOLEDO, Ohio-On Feb. 10 United Auto Workers Local 14 decided to end its nine-month strike against AP Parts by a vote of 254-72.
The company forced a strike on May 2 by cutting wages $5.84 per hour and imposing severe work-rule changes that the union had turned down after its contract expired on March 4.
The new contract provides for an average hourly wage of $10.25, with raises of $1.50 over the next three years. A $2.05 cost-of-living increase, however, is suspended until the final year of the contract.
Although the company's initial offer would have gutted the retirement plan, the new contract provides for the same pension plan as the previous one. Other benefits are roughly comparable.
Company spokespeople have referred to a projected work force of approximately 50 percent of the 450 who were employed prior to the strike. So far, less than one-third of the strikers are back at work.
One feature of the new agreement that upset many of the strikers is the company's insistence on imposing suspension-ranging from one week to six months-on those strikers who they allege have been guilty of picket-line misconduct.
Throughout the strike, Toledo UAW members demonstrated their support.
On May 21 some 3000 UAW members rallied at the AP Parts gate. This demonstration was attacked by the police, and 41 protestors were arrested. Unfortunately, the UAW leadership limited its support to legal assistance.
No public campaign was mounted to defend these victims. Those tried have been found guilty and received fines, suspended sentences, and/or placed on probation. In addition, a second planned rally was called off when the company agreed to resume talks in June.
At the Labor Day parade, the AP Parts contingent was one of the largest and most spirited. Many, other marchers carried signs announcing their support for the strikers.
Even though the company continued to stall on negotiations and scabs remained in the plant, UAW ofticials refused to mobilize this potential support. Instead, they limited their public activity to two full-page newspaper ads answering company accusations.
Although the new contract still includes some serious concessions, it shows what can be accomplished when workers stand up and fight against the bosses' takeback demands. This strike also demonstrated the tremendous potential of labor solidarity. Despite continued unfavorable publicity in the Toledo big-business media, area workers clearly saw this fight as their own.
If the UAW officials had not succeeded in calling off subsequent rallies and returning to business-as-usual closed-door negotiations, much more could have been won.
SOCIALIST ACTION MARCH 1985 5