December 21, 2010
Holiday Message From UAW 8 Region Director Gary Casteel
As the year draws to a close, it is a fitting occasion to take stock of the year. While the economy showed slight improvement this year, it unfortunately didn’t carry over to the working class. All across this country working class families are still feeling the brunt of a recession that has squeezed the middle class particularly hard. We have witnessed this first hand with our members and other working families.
Unemployment still hovers over 9% with many workers having spent three years searching for a job. Workers with a job have seen their income shrink through astronomical increases in health care, cost of living and lowering of wages. A recent study shows that one in five children under the age of 18 and one in four under the age of six live in poverty. While poverty has grown the redistribution of wealth up the food chain has seen the rich getting richer while the poor got poorer.
Between 1999 and 2009, workers’ wages rose by 38% but health care premiums rose by 131%. This outlandish increase has resulted in more and more workers giving up disposable income in a time when it is more precious. This spike has caused more and more families to drop their health care coverage and has also impacted home ownership due to the fact that working class families are spending so much on health care they can’t afford their homes.
Even union members have not been shielded by these tough economy times. All across our region we have members who are hurting due to layoffs and plant closings. We have done everything we could to lessen the blow but the reality remains that things are bad. It is our ardent wish that 2011 will be kinder to working families. However, things aren’t shaping up in favor of America’s working families as the agenda in Washington is currently based on the tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% while millions are unemployed.
Christmas is about family and in organized labor we are one big family and Christmas is special to us all. All across the region local unions have been working on Christmas charities to help brighten the holidays for someone less fortunate. As we pause for the end of the year it is my hope and prayer that we all recognize the blessings in our life and work to make a difference in the lives of others.
Here’s to you and yours this holiday season from the staff of UAW Region 8. May your holiday be filled with happiness, prosperity and peace this year, complete with loved ones and friends around you.
In Solidarity,
Gary Casteel
UAW Region 8 Director
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