[act-ma] 5/22: Rebuilding a Fighting Labor Movement with Gregg Shotwell

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Drawing the Line: Rebuilding a fighting labor movementSponsored by the International Socialist Organization and Haymarket Books
History bears out that workers' rights are not defined by law or contract. They are defined by struggle. Join a discussion with veteran labor militant, Gregg Shotwell, and other union activists about reviving this spirit within the labor movement today. Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 7:30PMSpontaneous Celebrations45 Danforth Street, Jamaica Plain, BostonSee map: Google MapsFeatured speakers: Gregg Shotwell author of Autoworkers Under the Gun John Moore, treasurer of the Museum Independent Security Union (MISU)--the union for security guards at the Museum of Fine Arts. The MISU is fighting the MFA's effort to outsource the guards' job and break the union.  Akunna Eneh of the Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association (BPLPSA).*Organization affiliations listed for identification purposes only*For more information about the event, email contact at bostonsocialism.org.
 
About the authorGregg Shotwell, a machine operator turned rebel writer, worked thirty years at General Motors. His shopfloor newsletter, "Live Bait & Ammo," chronicled the outrages and absurdities of corporate managers, exposed union leaders who acted in “partnership” with employers, and sounded the alarm about the devastating effects of auto industry job losses and union concessions. LB&A fliers grew legs of their own, distributed by rank-and-file workers in auto plants across the United States and cited by industry analysts. His body of agitational writing is now collected in Autoworkers Under the Gun. This collection spans a decade of autoworker resistance—and is a call to action for a new generation of workers coming
 of age in recession-wracked America.“No one has cut through the hypocrisy of what capitalism has done to American workers with more passion, wit, and insight than Gregg Shotwell.”
—Sam Gindin, former research director, Canadian Auto Workers“We factory folks are so very lucky to have our own poet laureate and writer preeminent—Gregg Shotwell.”
—Elly Leary, labor educator and former autoworker, chief negotiator, and union officer“Like a barking junkyard dog, Shotwell is there to defend the workers that the corporations and the unions have forgotten.”
—Justin Z. West, past president and bargaining chairman, UAW Local 2488, autoworker at Volvo Cars, Gothenburg, Sweden“He speaks for a large unappreciated reservoir of intelligence, insight, and guts in the working ranks. Almost invisible, watching the situation closely, preparing for our day.”
—Larry Christensen, chassis assembler, UAW, retired“I read your e-mails pretty regular. I know you very well. . . .You’re done, brother. Shut off the mic.”
—Stephen P. Yokich, UAW president, 1994–2002



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