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From the September-October 2007 issue of Union Democracy Review #170
Steel officers instigate reform revolt
This story is based on a report in the Steelworkers union magazine:
When the Steelworkers international leaders learned that a rubber local at Firestone was being run by "their old union leadership as a company union," they encouraged the rank and file to revolt only to discover that "Firestone management was putting pressure on the workers to support the incumbent office holders." With the help of the international staff, workers revolted.
"Led by USW staff member, Mike Zielinski, workers learned about union democracy and how to take strategic action..." They organized their own opposition caucus, the Aggrieved Workers Committee. They led wildcat strikes; they demanded an election and got it! With 3,000 workers voting, a new leadership was elected by large margins.
A success story for union democracy! Oh, we forgot to mention that these events took place in Africa at the Firestone plantation in Liberia. Far, far away.
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