Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Some say a long strike would have a negative effect on the area’s economy.
LORDSTOWN — The General Motors strike is the talk of the Mahoning Valley, and most area residents contacted seemed in agreement with the strikers.
However, many believe that if the strike lasts for a time, it will have negative effects on the Valley.
“It will affect the whole economy,” said Andy Bellis, 37, a downtown Youngstown resident who works at a pillow factory. “They won’t have the money to buy stuff.”
“We’re hoping they get everything situated,” he said.
Campbell resident Lori Frazier, 42, also is concerned.
“That’s one of the last good employment places around here that generates revenue,” she said.
She said her friend, who recently took a buyout from the Lordstown plant, is concerned about his daughter who is still employed there.
“She just had her second child,” she said.
Kenny Bryant of Warren said the GM workers are fighting hard for their money and with the economy as low as it is they need to.
“Every year the money is getting tighter and tighter and it’s getting hard out here,” he said.
Bob McManus of Warren said the strike is a wake-up call for General Motors. He said that he doesn’t think it will last long and that they will be back at the table discussing what’s best.
“The workers didn’t have a choice,” he said.
Velvet Cutlip of Warren supports the workers and the strike.
“They work their butts off and they deserve their retirement fund,” she said.
Tim Taylor of Salem said, “I think they need to keep some people or communities working. If they start closing more of the plants, where does it leave our community?
“I would hope they would settle with something decent. We have to keep jobs in the United States, period. We all need to somehow find a way to keep people working.”
Not supportive of strike
Some say the workers should just take what they can get and be satisfied with it.
Spencer Kilgore of Warren said jobs aren’t that abundant anymore like they used to be.
“I don’t think they should be striking because jobs are scarce,” he said.
Heather Bixler of Salem said Monday, “Our economy is really bad. It’s hard for people to find jobs.”
Others flatly disagree with the strike.
David Horner of Lordstown said he thinks the workers make too much money.
“The automotive industry is high-dollar work and [other Valley consumers] have to keep up with them,” he said.
If their wages are cut, he said, they will see how everyone else lives making less than they do.
Horner is a Lordstown firefighter and he is hoping the pickets don’t cause trouble.
“I am holding my breath and hoping nobody does anything stupid,” he said.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Vindicator Staff Writers Maysoon Abdelrasul, Angie Schmitt and D.A. Wilkinson.