The Barking Dog #34, dated Feb. 7, 2001

Appeal For Help!

The Company and some top union people are trying to shut down the Barking Dog again.

On January 17, International Rep Earlie Mays came to our Local Executive Board meeting and launched into a speech attacking the article "Week in Las Vegas" in the last issue of the Barking Dog. He said the union was correct to use its resources to promote NUMMI products. He said the trade show in Las Vegas was sponsored by the UAW, not by NUMMI.

And he said he was personally offended because I had used the term "black people" instead of "African Americans.

I also learned at the Executive Board that it was not only Adminstration Caucus members who had voted to send people to Las Vegas. Some Peoples Caucus members also voted for it (not me). In addition, it was noted that NUMMI ended up paying for some of the people who went to staff the trade show.

I still say, our dues money should not go to promoting company products but to defending us, the members.

The next week, on January 25, I was called in to Labor Relations by General Manager for Human Relations, Bob McCullough, and another top manager, Bob Ponsonby. Of course I had my Committeeman with me.

Bob M. told me that a number of employees had complained to them that the last Barking Dog was racially offensive and was creating a "hostile work environment." Bob P. was writing everything down.

I asked how it was offensive, and Bob M. mentioned only two things. One, I had used the term "black people" instead of "African Americans." And second, that I had referred to "ethnic " entertainment in the cafeteria.

Bob M. said he was warning me that if I continued "offending" people in the Barking Dog, the Company would prohibit circulation of it in the plant. My Committeeman pointed out that this was like putting me in a box, since anyone who disagreed with anything I wrote could go to management claiming to be "offended." Very true.

The following week, January 31, there was a Special Executive Board meeting. At that meeting, Cleo Garrett, appointed Community Services Rep and head of the Local Civil Rights Committee, said that she was "taking the proper steps" inside the plant, together with the Company "to deal with the problem" of the Barking Dog.

Also former Group Leader, now union member, Paul King announced that he was planning to file charges against me under Article 31 of the UAW Constitution (violation of the constitution or conduct unbecoming a union member).

"Black People"

Here's my response to the charges. I'm sorry that anyone felt offended, but using the term "black people" can not be considered racially offensive. The mass media and African American leaders and organizations use it all the time. Our UAW magazine Solidarity has repeatedly used the terms "black people," "black workers," "black citizens," "black unionists, -- in addition to "African Americans": -- just check the International's web site. Is Earlie Mays offended by Solidarity? What about Black History Month?

Also, not all black people consider themselves African Americans. There are black Jamaicans, Panamanians, Puerto Ricans, to name a few.

As to my reference to "ethnic" entertainment, this is the term that Cleo Garrett herself has used to describe the events and food for Black History Month, Cinco de Mayo, and Martin Luther King awareness events. My point was not to put down the entertainment in the cafeteria, which I know many of us enjoy very much. It was to say that just cultural activities are not enough to address the serious problems faced by minorities in our society.

Far from being racially offensive, The Barking Dog has made clear from its contents that it is an anti-racist publication. It has quoted South African freedom fighter Steve Biko and Malcolm X. It has carried comments against slavery in the U.S., articles in defense of death row UAW member Mumia Abu-Jamal, Mumia's comments to the Million Family March, and articles against China-bashing and America-first-ism.

Perks for the Loyal Followers

I'm glad our Local participated in the UAW Civil Rights conference. My objection is that these conferences tend to be used as perks to the loyal followers of the in-crowd that rules our Local.

From the Internet, I found out more about what happened at the UAW Civil Rights conference that also took place in Las Vegas. A report from UAW Local 1981 (the National Writers Union) said that "the 31 resolutions passed by the conference amounted to a very positive social justice agenda. The resolutions addressed a wide range of social issues, such as affirmative action, the criminal justice system, hate crimes, domestic violence, immigration, racial profiling, school vouchers, and reparations, as well as the more workplace-oriented issues of economic justice, domestic partner benefits, sexual harassment, and the right to organize. It was exciting to be part of a union with a vision of equality and justice that goes beyond the confines of the I wish we would see some of these resolutions in coming issues of our Local Union newspaper.

Give Up Or Stand Up

Some friends have advised me to just apologize for "offending" anyone, and hope the threats go away. But they won't go away. I believe the Company, Earlie, Cleo, and others are out to shut me up, not because I have written anything racially offensive but because they don't like the truth.

So I am turning to the only people I can turn to for help -- to all you union members out there who have enjoyed the Barking Dog, written for it, circulated it, donated toward the costs, etc.

Please sign and get your friends to sign the petition below. Get the petitions back to me (I now work in Plastics, 2nd shift, 4:30-1am). Ask around and you will find somebody who can get them to me. (Of course you need to do this at non-work times and in non-work areas.)

The Barking Dog is an independent voice, trying to speak out for what's right. Over the past three and a half years, the Barking Dog has opposed speed-up on the line; reported on Local membership meetings; reported on important struggles such as the strawberry workers, the Caterpillar workers, the UPS strike, and the Safeway warehouse workers; exposed NUMMI's past violation of FMLA law; argued for the right to bathroom breaks; opposed the lower wage for new hires; exposed violations of seniority rights; brought news from other UAW locals; and defended the rights of injured workers, among other things.

We can't let them get away with banning it as "offensive." A union cannot be strong with an atmosphere of fear and repression, especially in this period of contract negotiations, when we need unity.

Caroline Lund

Petition to NUMMI Management

We the undersigned NUMMI team Members urge you to lay off your threats against The Barking Dog. While not necessarily agreeing with everything in it, we believe The Barking Dog is not offensive. We think it's valuable and informative.

Signature Print Name Employee File #

Quote from our Local 2244 Bylaws (look insider the back page):

Freedom of Speech

"...The freedom of speech and the freedom of the press have not been granted to the people in order that they may say the things which please, and which are based upon accepted thought."

Samuel Gompers, early President of the American Federation of Labor

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