OK, I realize those are harsh words, but I can’t help feeling real sadness today as I read reports of what the UAW agreed to in its settlement with GM. As I am sure you have all heard already, the strike was ended today (after just two days), with the announcement by Gettelfinger that a tentative agreement had been reached. The exact details of the agreement won’t be known till at least late this week, when the members vote to ratify (or not) the contract. You can listen to audio of Gettelfinger’s announcement here… http://www.uaw.org/ Now I am not saying we should relish the idea of a long strike. Strikes are always much harder on the individual worker than they are on their corporate bosses. No one wants a long drawn out strike that leads to workers losing their homes, pulling kids out of college, sinking deeper into debt, etc., etc., etc. Let me say right of the bat, even though I have been a labor activist for 15 years, I have never myself had to endure the pain of a strike. But I ...
I would like to see another type of "*11" line started in Chicago. One that allows kids of gang-banger parents to free counsel to help them get out of their houses and live in supportive transitional housing if they have parents who are drug-dealers or gang bangers. Some kids grow up in this chain of "banging". The chain from generation to generation needs to stop. I'd like to see the City of Chicago take a leadership role for our nation in how to successfully help teens out of gangs at young ages, i.e., middle school, jr. high, high school and even through their middle twenties. Unfortunately, some kids grow up with really poor role models. Kids need to understand that joining a gang is NOT A CHOICE if they want to live long and have a good life! Good for Pilsen and all the people in 60608 for Marching for Peace! Pilsen, especially Loomis Street, has been a gang blood bath all spring and summer. The chain of violence needs to end!
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