Autoworkers Show Solidarity with Striking Newspaper Workers

04/05/96

United Press International reported that 1,500 Auto Workers from across the nation marched on the Detroit News building Wednesday to show solidarity with more than 2,100 newspaper workers from six unions. The newspaper workers have been out on strike against the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press since July, the longest newspaper strike in Detroit's history.

On April 15 the National Labor Relations Board will hear numerous unfair labor charges that the striking unions have filed against the Detroit Newspaper Agency (DNA). The DNA supervises business, circulation, and production at both dailies and has vowed to appeal any NLRB decision it doesn't like.

The auto workers were in Detroit to participate in a three day bargaining convention as the UAW gears up to negotiate its three year national contract with the big three automakers. Led by UAW president Stephen Yokich, the auto workers marched several blocks from the hall where they convened to the Detroit News building. The rally shut down several blocks of Lafayette Boulevard for more than an hour.

In recent weeks, 149 people, including well-known Detroit religious, community, and labor leaders, have been arrested for civil disobedience actions at the News and Free Press. No autoworkers were arrested.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel