Graham speaks on strike
Graham speaks on strike
LORDSTOWN — Jim Graham, president of United Autoworkers Local 1112, urged hundreds of workers to be strong on the picket line now that the union has called a strike against the General Motors.
“Nobody goes in the plant once we set the pickets up. Nobody,” he said today.
Graham spoke after union members flooded into the union hall grounds in North Jackson shortly after the strike was called at 11 a.m.
Graham said 24-hour pickets would be set up at the GM Lordstown plant with tents and fire barrels. Workers were assigned picket shifts in order to receive strike benefits of $200 a week.
“You have to have faith in the international and this local union,” Graham said to the strikers.
Several workers could be heard saying they were surprised GM and the UAW didn’t come to terms.
Graham seemed to agree, saying, “I don’t think anyone in the country expected us to go on strike, but we did.”
After Graham stopped speaking, workers got in line to sign up for picket duty.