UAW Leaders Express Deep Concern Over Tragedy at Ford Rouge
3 February 1999
UAW Leaders Express Deep Concern Over Tragedy at Ford Rouge DETROIT, Feb. 2 -- UAW leaders today offered their
condolences to those UAW members killed or injured in the explosion yesterday
at Ford Motor Company's Rouge facility. They also praised the work of UAW,
Ford and Dearborn emergency workers and volunteers. The UAW leaders also
announced a number of support activities for those workers affected by the
accident, including a blood drive, a toll-free assistance number, and an
emergency assistance fund.
"The UAW offers its prayers and condolences to the families of those
workers who were killed or injured by the tragic and devastating explosion
that occurred yesterday at Ford's Rouge facility," said UAW President Stephen
P. Yokich.
"Our entire union is deeply saddened by the loss of life and severe
injuries that have been suffered by our members and we will do whatever is
necessary to comfort and assist those members and their families who have been
affected by this unfortunate accident," Yokich stated.
UAW Vice President Ron Gettelfinger, who directs the union's Ford
Department, praised the work of UAW members, the Ford Motor Company and
emergency workers from surrounding communities who responded to the accident.
"The response to this serious accident by members of the UAW, employees of
the Ford Motor Company, members of the Ford family and emergency workers from
the city of Dearborn and surrounding communities has been outstanding,"
Gettelfinger said.
"I deeply appreciate the fact that since the first moment of this tragic
accident the Ford Motor Company has put the interests of the workers first and
has dealt with the human side of this terrible accident, not with production,"
Gettelfinger stated. "We can now say with certainty that all of the joint
training and planning that we have conducted to handle difficult situations
like this has proven its worth."
Immediately after the accident occurred, members of the International
Union's health and safety staff, UAW- Ford health and safety representatives,
UAW- Ford employee support services program staff (ESSP), staff from UAW
Region 1A and officers and staff from UAW Local 600, began working with the
families of the victims and with local union members who had been affected by
the accident. The local union hall became one of the coordinating centers for
rescue activities and for information about accident. Counseling is available
to all Local 600 members affected by the accident.
"Clearly, the speedy response and the high degree of cooperation has saved
lives," said Gerald Bantom, director of UAW Region 1A, which covers UAW locals
in Dearborn and southeastern Michigan.
"UAW Local 600 officers and members, along with staff from the
International and Region have done an outstanding job in their immediate
response to this tragedy," Bantom stated. "I would especially like to praise
the on-site nurses at Ford, who are members of UAW Local 600 and Local 245,
for their professionalism and their compassion at the accident scene."
UAW Local 600 President Jerry Sullivan added his thanks to those who
offered assistance, and announced several support actions that the local would
be taking.
"I would like to thank those members of UAW Local 600 who took part in the
rescue operations and those members who came to the local or called to offer
their concern and assistance to the victims and their families," Sullivan
said.
"The outpouring of concern was overwhelming and it underscores the fact
that our union family here at the local is close and caring," Sullivan stated.
Sullivan also announced that a Red Cross blood drive would begin at the
local union on Wednesday, along with the presence of counselors who would be
available to render assistance to local union members. In addition, a toll-
free number -- 800-227-9622 -- would be activated on Wednesday to handle calls
for assistance from workers and families affected by the tragedy.
UAW Local 600 is also starting an emergency assistance fund for the
victims of this tragic accident. For more information about the fund, contact
UAW Local 600 at 313-842-5350.
