Kokomo — More manufacturing jobs and better wages were on everyone’s wish list during a Labor Day rally at United Auto Workers Local 685 union hall.
More than 50 workers and their families reminisced, talked about the days of higher wages and ate hot dogs at the picnic-like atmosphere.
Raised from a family of UAW workers, Kevin Summers, a Republican city councilman and Kokomo police officer, came out to support the local workers.
“A lot of my family was involved in the UAW,” he said. “My mother was a 30-year employee at 685. I had a few uncles who worked for 685 and my aunt is chaplain at 292. I’m here to show my support for the workers and pay tribute to those who have passed on.”
Along with the hot dogs and music from the band Downtime, members of Local 685 also shared a little history of the UAW via a UAW library.
Jack Williams, a retired Chrysler worker and UAW member, set up a new library inside the UAW hall to remind people of the past laborers who made the union what is today.
“That was the first UAW convention in 1936 in South Bend,” he said, pointing to one of a number of pictures hanging near the top of the wall. “There’s a lot of history here.
“I retired in 1994 after 38 1⁄2 years,” Williams said proudly.
“We’ve been a chapter since 1937, but weren’t recognized until 1942,” Williams said of the UAW history. “I remember when I was hired in 1956, I think we made $1.30 an hour. Plus, we had to pay for half our insurance and we didn’t have a retirement. You worked until you died.”
As for the economy and jobs, Williams said, “it’s better than it was two years ago. I’m happy with what’s going. It’s looking up. But what really matters is if we can sell the cars.”
Local Democrats also were on hand to encouraged people to get out and vote.
As supporters of the UAW and labor movement, the politicians thanked the UAW for its support and encouraged people to “Buy American” – and keep local people from losing any more jobs.
“It’s looking up,” said Glenn Rodgers, UAW 685 member. “It’s better than it was. Everybody wants more jobs and higher wages. Hopefully this trend will turn around and add up to more jobs.”
UAW member and Howard County Democratic Chairman Rick Ward also was optimistic about the future.
“With this being a political hotbed of a year, we want to have a get-out-the-vote drive and get more people to Buy American. We have to put manufacturing jobs back into this country.”
Ward urged people to vote for the many Democrats running this year in support of the UAW and hard-working, blue-collar workers like the ones in Kokomo.
Danny Hiatt, shop chairman for UAW Local 292, encouraged people to support the Democrats who in turn support the union.
“It’s a crying shame corporations come into our community and take advantage of the situation with lower-paying jobs,” he said. “It’s our job to try to organize and get these people up to our living wage.”
• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8565 or mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com.
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