An ongoing strike at American Axle & Manufacturing plants--two of which are located in Michigan--has entered its fourth week and shows no signs of ending. Union members struck at the end of February after American Axle & Manufacturing tried get them to sign a contract that would have cut workers' salaries by as much as half. The strike has had a substantial impact on the auto industry and several plants--including in West Michigan-have had to temporarily layoff workers. Still, many workers are supportive of the strike and are using it to discuss larger issues--such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)--that are affecting the audio industry.

Not surprisingly, coverage in the corporate media has not been particularly sympathetic to the striking workers. The website Future of the Union, a publication by rank-and-file United Auto Workers (UAW) members, has an archive of press coverage of the strike. Interestingly, the best coverage has come from the Socialist press. Various Socialist newspapers have covered the strike at length, even posting interviews with union members walking the picket lines:

Unfortunately, this is not too surprising as corporate media outlets rely disproportionately on business sources when reporting on the economy. A study from 2000 by the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID) titled "Sins of Ommission" found that business sources were used 4.5 as often as organized labor sources.

In support of the strike, the unions involved are asking that people "show their support in any way possible." For those who do not live in the cities of Hamtramck and Three Rivers, unions are stating that "there's lot's of support work you can do too by sending donations/supplies to the union or getting support resolutions passed in your union, community organizations or place of worship etc."

Supplies, donations, and resolutions from other unions and community organizations can be sent hard copy or by email to:

UAW Local 235
Attn: Adrian King, President
2140 Holbrook Ave.
Hamtramck, MI 48212

Adrian King, President, Local 235 - AdrianRKing AT hotmail.com
Bill Alford Jr., Vice President, Local 235 - billalford74 AT yahoo.com