UAW president denounces “outside groups” for defeat of Fiat Chrysler deal In a statement posted on the United Auto Workers International Union Facebook page Monday morning, UAW President Dennis Williams warned about “outside groups” that “like to stir people up.” The comment comes as Williams tries to overcome the opposition of Fiat Chrysler workers who overwhelmingly rejected the sellout deal last week. Williams’ comments were widely cited by the news media, including by the industry publication Automotive News, which headlined its article, “UAW’s Williams calls out outside agitators, says more info coming on FCA talks.” After denouncing “outside groups” Williams writes, “You, our members need to make decisions based on what’s best for you and your families. No one else has to pay the price of a strike. No one else will lose a paycheck or a home.” These comments are coupled with a pledge that the UAW has “heard” what the workers have to say and has now decided that it will “tell the whole story.” Williams statement is a fraud from beginning to end. It is an expression both of the deep fear within the UAW apparatus that it is beginning to lose its stranglehold over workers, and a limitless contempt for the workers that it claims to represent. posted and reposted its exposures and comments. First, in denouncing “outside agitators,” Williams is using the same methods once employed by the auto bosses, right-wing politicians and the gutter press to witch-hunt and prepare violence against the socialists and left-wing militants who built the UAW and other unions in the 1930s and 1940s. In 1936-37, GM executives denounced the UAW sit-downers in Flint as “outside agitators” in service of a “vast conspiracy to destroy all for which life is worth living.” They said the socialist-minded workers who led the sit-down strike had struck a blow “at the very heart of the right of the possession of private property.” Read entire article in full »