Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Nearly 400 workers at Antolin Interiors USA in Howell, Michigan, voted overwhelmingly to join International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 163. The workers, who make instrument panels and door panels for Ford, General Motors, Stellantis and Paccar, organized to stand united and have a voice against management as a whole, to be on common ground, to work together rather than against each other and to gain more respect.
“Our organizing efforts at Antolin Howell have been successful. Our members chose to organize after many losses to the company,” said James Matheny, a materials worker. “We lose eight hours per week of our weekly total if we have a day off or even a holiday. Favoritism is rampant and policy is manipulated. We are now union brothers and sisters. We can fight for a fair contract and work with the company, so we all succeed!”