That's what Karl Hense, an American Axle Worker said today about Richard Dauch, the American Axle CEO and the world's highest paid tier one supplier. WOW! You tell 'em Karl!!!

In addition to the print version of this news item, there is a news video of this interview entitled 'Local American Axle worker talks about strike 4/23/08' available through the link at the bottom. It's a joy to see Karl lay it all out there.

Rank and File Workers bring the UAW officials to heel

As the AAM strike turmoil grows even more serious, the workers have forced the UAW administration to sponsor a rally outside the annual stockholders meeting at American Axle headquarters. One week ago, the UAW leadership had cancelled an American Axle rally in downtown Detroit. That event was to draw the 3,600 strikers and their supporters together in one place. The striker's morale rose steadily as the rally date neared. But the UAW brass seemed to be doing everything they could not to bolster the spirits of the weary strikers. After the rally cancellation, the workers fought back at their membership meetings. The union officials were forced to follow the dictates of the mass assembly and endorse tomorrow's rally.

Without a workforce in America, it's uncertain that you're in business here partner!

Video cameras, digital cameras, and the media will be on hand outside AAM headquarters to record who goes in and out. The YouTube and mainstream feed will no doubt expose some of the mystery guests. As all the guests are greeted, the CEO and his AAM posse will be on hand to try to sway those investors toward the AAM path. But the strikers have made a solid case for themselves and their claims that there is serious trouble at the top of AAM. The AAM executives could be in for a big struggle to hold the stock value.

Massive investor fear, suspicion and uncertainty is still rising to new, never seen before heights in this crisis market. Dauch and his team's decision to attack the workers has now attracted attention to AAM's current management decisions and future business plans. But not in a good way some would say. Dauch says he will move operations from the U.S. if he doesn't get his way. Voices have questioned how a company without a product made in America can be considered American during the forthcoming protectionist phase in which the American citizenry circle their wagons. What will the 'American' in American Axle mean? Investors may well be drawn to calmer waters, to safe harbors where they can moor their percentages. They could all leave in droves, but it's typical for the mid-sized, risk-averse players to dribble out their unwanted stocks little by little.

Typically, all this uncertainty attracts a crowd of speculators, promoters, and charlatans who only want to separate investors from their money, and the current cohort of AAM investors could be ready for such a fleecing. The money grubbers will be on hand for the AAM spectacle with their analysts and mouthpieces in tow. After Dauch and the crew say their bit, the money and fund managers will offer their critiques in the form of cautious notes to investors. That's where, over a period of weeks, the scribes could spell out their statements of uncertainty, doubt, rumor, speculation and fear. Everyone knows that fear rules investment management decisions. Does Dauch know it's time to either fish or cut bait?

Best wishes for a most successful, non-violent and prosperous rally!!!

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Local American Axle worker talks about strike

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 | 7:35 PM

2 sides try to end longest automotive strike in nearly a decade

By Matt Franklin

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP (WJRT) -- (04/23/08)--American Axle and the United Auto Workers union remain deeply divided as the two try to end the longest automotive strike in nearly a decade.

American Axle says the UAW has rejected wage-and-benefit offers that are better than those paid by competitors.

Also, the parts supplier is threatening to close its U.S. operations unless it gets the deep cuts it wants.

The union is preparing to rally in front of American Axle's Detroit headquarters Thursday afternoon.

American Axle worker Karl Hense says workers must keep up the fight in order to preserve the American workforce.

Strike pay of just $200 a week has drastically changed Hense's life. But it's nothing compared to what could happen if American Axle pulls its operations all together.

"It's real enough to me, and that's why I'm still on strike," Hense said.

The Grand Blanc Township resident and father of three has 13 and a half years in with the parts supplier.

He went on strike with 3,600 workers nearly two months ago to fight drastic reductions in wages and benefits being offered by the company.

"We're the most highly trained and technologically advanced workforce in the tier-one supplier industry," Hense said.

Hense says workers are well aware the changing times of the auto industry will force them to take a pay cut.

The company says workers make about $70 an hour including wages and benefits. But he says the union wants more promises of job security -- something that American Axle CEO Richard Dauch is not offering.

"If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have a job, and I can't thank the man enough for giving me those 14 years," Hense said.

"But at the same time, there's no reason that I should have to suffer for the next 10 or 14 years -- if he even keeps the company open that long. That's what we're afraid of."

American Axle believes a resolution is in the hands of the union.

But Hense believes it's Axle's CEO who holds the key to putting not only Axle workers back to work, but also those at other suppliers and at 30 General Motors Corp. plants affected by the strike back to work.

"One person has thrown a monkey wrench into the whole situation of what we have going on in this country," Hense said.

Thursday's 1 p.m. rally in Detroit will happen just hours before the annual American Axle shareholders meeting.

(Copyright ©2008 WJRT-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

2 sides try to end longest automotive strike in nearly a decade

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Thank you,
John Martyn