Bryan Ohio Public Opinion
November 7, 2010
Mr. Taylor,
I am an employee of yours working in the
Bryan, Ohio plant. I have been working in
the Powerhouse for 11 years supplying the
steam, air, water etc that is used to build
and cure the tires. The only time that I
have been without work in 44 years was for
three months in the early eighties. That can
cause a man to take having work for granted.
That is just what I did. I figured to work
at Titan till I retire. Surprise! Throughout
the past year leading up to the contract
negotiations I believed that because of the
economy both sides would make some
concessions and work would continue. That is
obviously not the case.
I have never been a real great fan of
unions, although I have always recognized
the need for them and have supported them
with my dues, but not much of my time. This
is the first time that I have ever been in a
situation such as this. The very real
possibility of losing my job due to strike
or plant closing, it is a scary thing sir.
My wife and I are raising three of our six
grandchildren. We are both extremely
concerned for their welfare and this
situation caused me to panic and I was more
than half a mind to walk across the line if
it came to a strike.
On October 28th I attended my first union
meeting in eleven years to find out what was
going on with the negotiations. As I sat in
that meeting watching and listening, an
interesting thing happened. I realized that
the people in that room were friends of
mine, not all, as being in the boiler room
you don't go to the break room very often,
so sometimes the names are not there but the
faces are and they are my co-workers. There
was respect there sir, a respect for me that
I did not fully comprehend before. I came to
understand that I hold the same respect for
them, my co-workers and friends. The meeting
was conducted with a quiet resolve, there
were no angry words or name calling, no
shouts of defiance, everyone in the room
knew things were not going well, everyone in
the room was worried, concerned for their
future and that of their families. The
negotiations were discussed and what would
need to be done if everything went south.
When the meeting ended there were quiet
conversations and we soon went about our own
business. That moment sir, when I watched
people walking out to get in their cars I
knew that I would not jump ship. I am on
solid ground here sir, and even though I may
be out of a job in a few short days I will
stand with my friends and co-workers.
Which begs the question, why are we in this
position in the first place? Why are we
being put through this mental and emotional
wringer at all. The truth of the matter is
that we are willing to make concessions, to
work things out. It seems that the only one
who is not willing to negotiate is you. The
demands that you are making are nothing
short of draconian. You portray us as being
alcoholics and drug abusers. We are not the
disrespectful idiots that the world saw at
lunch a few weeks ago in Detroit. You demand
increased working hours that would in effect
put you in charge of how much time and when
we could spend that time with our families.
You call us lazy and unwilling to work. I
tell you sir, there are people here already
puttting in 64 and more hours a week. The
Powerhouse operators have been working 7
days a week for 16 months straight. I fail
to see how you can call that lazy or
unwilling to work. What would you have us
do, live in tin and tar paper shacks outside
the plant so we could be on call 24/7?
I do not know anyone here who begrudges you
the millions that you earn, what then do you
have against us making a decent living for
ourselves and our families? We are just as
patriotic and worried about the future of
this country as you seem to be. Yet here you
are, bullying and brow beating, threatening
our future well being and that of our
families. It seems to me sir, all you are
trying to do is some old fashion union
busting for your financial benefit. We have
very little say regarding what headquarters
does with our dues, although a recent poll
indicates that 85% of this countries union
members are dissatisfied with that
situation. Your attitude sir, and your
demands are a perfect example for all to
see, as to why there are unions in the first
place. You show absolutely no respect for
the people and work that is done in Bryan,
and how hard some of it actually is. I
remind you sir, respect is a two way street.
It is my sincerest hope that the current
situation can be resolved to the
satisfaction of all.
John R. Posey
Bryan, OH
