UAW holds strike support rally at Lordstown plant

As the autoworkers strike against General Motors began day five, UAW members staged a support rally Friday outside the gates of the idled GM assembly plant in Lordstown on the roadway that happens to be named UAW Parkway. 

"We need your support. Thank you to everyone for coming out. Let's get this done,"  said UAW Local 1112 Shop Chairman Dan Morgan.
 
The crowd included some former Lordstown workers who took transfers to other states but came back to show support. They say that idling the Lordstown plant has split families apart. 

"So my family is spread across the country.  I need this (plant) to reopen for our families to be brought back together," said Holly Mills.

Mills lost her job at Lordstown and saw other members of her family transfer to plants as far away as Missouri.

New reports out of GM now say an electric pick-up truck could be built in Detroit and that a part of Lordstown could become a battery plant with lower-wage jobs.

The union says that's not what they are bargaining for; they want to build a new vehicle.

"We knew negotiations were going to determine our fate, and that's still the case.  So until we're told that this plant doesn't have hope, we're still hopeful," said UAW Local 1112 Vice President Tim O'Hara.

Union leaders say they've received a lot of support from the community.

They say that's because people realized that the future of this plant could also impact the future of the Valley.

"They understand, and they say we're going to be there for you guys because if you're not here, then we're not here," Morgan said.

Donations of firewood, water, and food have been delivered to the picket line by supporters and other area unions.

The feeling on the picket is the strike could be lengthy.

"I think it has the potential to last. You remember the strike vote was over 95% at all GM facilities in the country, so workers are united," said O'Hara. 

Every horn honk by a passing car or truck is another show of support, and the union says it plans to hold the line for as long as it takes.