UAW: Toyota Workers in Kentucky Demand a Share in Company's Success

LEXINGTON, Ky., March 31 -- Toyota is a huge corporate success story, but fails at health and safety, relies heavily on low-paid temporary workers, and has a plan to reduce wages and benefits, workers at its Georgetown, Ky., plant said today.

The workers, who appeared at a town hall forum titled "The Human Cost of Toyota's Success" in nearby Lexington, want the corporation to respect its workers and the community that made its Georgetown facility so successful.

"I believe that as a company succeeds, the employees should also succeed," said Tim Unger, an 18-year veteran worker. Unger and other workers who spoke at the Hunter Presbyterian Church said they see a need for a contract with the giant automaker, which has received $371 million in state and local government tax subsidies since 1986.

Unger said he's noticed that some longtime workers have "disappeared" from the plant - victims of Toyota's quest for improved efficiency.

"Shoulders would wear out, wrists would require surgery and back and hands started to fail," he said. "It seemed as if the good people who contributed to the success of Toyota were being used up and disposed of like garbage."

For Noel Christian Riddell, a 10-year veteran skilled-trades worker, things started out rosy at the plant. But the veteran workers on the shop floor have been ignored while Toyota hires low-wage temporary workers who are long shots to ever win permanent employment with benefits.

"We executed model change activities faster than any other manufacturer. I truly felt my contributions played a role in the company's success," Riddell said. "But something happened. After only a few years, training ceased. Suddenly I had no sick days. My raises became smaller. My benefits were cut. My group's manpower was slashed. And the number of temporary employees steadily grew."

Cornelia James, an 18-year employee, said she has seen more jobs combined and others eliminated. But what's more disconcerting is an internal document that reveals the company's long range plans for wages and benefits. The document said the corporation wants to "align" wages and benefits to other manufacturers in Kentucky.

"We have worked hard to make Toyota a success only to find out they have a secret plan for us," James said. "It's time for Toyota to sign a contract with us like everyone else they do business with."

UAW Vice President Terry Thurman, who attended the hearing, said the union is committed to providing "all the assistance we can" to Toyota workers.

"This is all about Toyota workers - their concerns, their interests, and their hopes for the future," said Thurman, who directs the UAW's National Organizing Department. "They are hard-working auto workers and they've helped make this company a tremendous success - and they deserve respect and dignity on the job."

In cooperation with local community and civic organizations, and the national Jobs with Justice campaign, Thurman said, the UAW is working to establish a Workers' Rights Board in Kentucky, which will be available to hear personal stories of Toyota workers and recommend appropriate remedies when necessary.