BREAKING THE LAW TO WIN


(In Memory of Victor G. Reuther)

Why are the unions so weak you ask

Well, let me tell you a story.

It asks the bosses to replace the workers

that they forced out on strike.

Why don't you replace Jesse,

the strike is going on two years.

Jesse has given up worryin'

and went back to his Budweiser beer.

Why don't you replace Rose

replace her broken nose

replace her broken husband

replace her broken home.

Why don't you replace Eddie,

he just drove away one day,

leaving his wife and children

he's somewhere down south they say.

And why don't you replace sweet Judy,

she worked for you 28 years

She used to dream of retirement

now she's filled with anger and fear.

And if your so damn good at replacing,

why don't you replace one more.

Gary was found by his daughter

with blood all over the garage floor.

Others still stand by their barrels,

flames show their faces at night,

swearing at who crossed the picket line,

swearing at who just might.

Unions are right back like it was in the '30s

when goons and cops were in their glory.

A law has replaced the workers mightiest weapon

BUT WAIT

You're still going to have to retake the factory
you're still going to have to sit down,
still have to fight the goons and the cops
and disrupt production til it stops.

Demand your union elite
step back and get out of the way
You will have to fight guns and tear gas
and beware of pepper-gas spray

Place your women and children
in front of the factory
and melt the hearts
of the National Guard
Get your neighbors to stand
and support you
with red, white and blue
strike signs.

You will have to ignore their injunctions
and break their immoral laws
TO WIN

IN THE END, YOU MAY
START A REVOLUTION
SO THIS WILL NEVER
HAPPEN AGAIN.

written by Dennis Serdel UAW
September 10, 2004

Back to "World of Work"

newdemocracyworld.org
massrefusal.org