FREIGHTLINER:
UNION WINS CARD CHECK
On January 16-17, 2003, UAW Region 8, with great assistance
from International Vice President Nate Gooden and his staff, held successful
negotiated card checks at two Freightliner plants. One was the Freightliner
Cleveland, North Carolina TMP Truck Manufacturing Plant which has some
2400 employees and simultaneously the Freightliner Gastonia, North Carolina
parts plant which employs approximately 700 employees.
These card check drives were only successful because of
the hard work and dedication of Vice Presidents Nate Gooden and Bob King
and Director Gary Casteel along with the  countless
hours of preparation by UAW Region 8 organizers and temporary organizers.
Also in an unprecedented move by Director Casteel, he, along with eight
servicing staff the Assistant Director Donny Bevis helped in this great
effort.
Director Casteel, International Vice President Gooden
and International Vice President Bob King each made remarks to each group
of employees at each facility to explain howour union, the UAW, works
and the benefits of belonging to the UAW. Also company corporate officials
were present and spoke to the same employee groups regarding their commitment
to a stance of neutrality.
The Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant had majority status
at the conclusion of the last plant meeting. With the obstacles of snow,
sleet, frigid temperatures, and temporary layoffs we did achieve majority
status at the Gastonia Parts Manufacturing Plant by Sunday, January 19,
2003.
Prior to the plant meetings red UAW shirts were passed
out to supporters coming into the plants and I'm proud to say it was a
pleasure to see a sea of red during these meetings.
National Organizing and Region 8, through the great assistance
of International Vice President Nate Gooden has arranged card checks at
four other Freightliner facilities,  with
the next two to the targeted being High Point, North Carolina and Gaffney,
South Carolina.
We have already begun laying the ground work for this
next effort and with the great outpouring of assistance from the local
unions for loaning us temporary organizers, I'm sure these will be great
success stories too!
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