Just received the new issue of 'Solidarity' (UAW journal)

[Mairead]

Some quotes:

The future will belong to those who have passion and are willing to work hard to make our country better.
--Paul Wellstone

The great sequoia tree actually has a root system so shallow that if one were to stand alone, it could easily be blown over by a strong wind. They way they survive to grow over 300 feet tall is by intermingling their roots with each other.
-- Bo Marlow, Local 882

Every US veteran has fought for democracy. Here in Miami this is not democracy. This is a police state!
-- Phil Anastasi, VP Local 72 (at the anti-FTAA demos)

A police line was moving in on what was left of the crowd {of retired UAW workers} shooting teargas and rubber bullets {they hit one woman in the chest}. If I didn't see this, I would not believe it.
-- Gary Shepherd, Region 1D (who found himself on the ground with guns pointed at him)

Q: In one poll, 49% of blue-collar men said they would vote for Bush in 2004. How do you show them how bad Bush is for working families?
A: First we want to show them Bush's record, looking at all the issues that concern working people, not just single issues like abortion and guns. We ask them to look at the wider issues that the union stands for and we ask them are these positions the same as yours, like around fair trade and healthcare? I'm confident that if our members get the facts, they'll do the right thing.
-- Jimmy Settles, Local 600 and Director of Region 1A

Notable Events of 2003
Bush appeared at a photo-op meant to tout his economic stimulus plan with a huge "Strengthening America's Economy" banner as a backdrop. Stacks of boxes presumably filled with products made in America flanked the president. A curious reporter noticed some odd stickers covering up something on each box. What were they covering? That the products had actually been made in China and Taiwan.
{Sure does seem to like misleading banners and clumsy cover-ups, doesn't he.}

Some WalMart facts:
Number of employees: 1.4M
Share of US imports from China: 10%
Average annual employee pay: $13,861
Federal poverty level for family of 3: $14,630
Average u nionised supermarket pay is: 20% more
Turnover rate: 44%/year