Local 822 workers in Branson, MI were locked out by their employer, Douglas Autotech on May 5th. Region 1-C members held a rally to support the workers on July 18 and donated over $11,000 to help the workers and their families. The workers offered to return to work unconditionally and management refused. Why would a company that has been in this small town since the early 1900's and has had a good relationship with its union workforce (this is only the second labor dispute since they received their charter in the 1940's) behave this way- with no regard for their workers? Because they can. With labor laws designed to protect the worker now being used to destroy organized labor it is easier and easier for companies to turn their backs on the workers and the communities that have supported them.

In November, we MUST elect a President and a Congress who will restore and strengthen the rights and protections of working Americans. It has become a matter of our very survival.