BY RAY PARSONS AND SIMONE BERG
DES MOINES, Iowa - "We're extending our hand to yours,"
said Gary Hoskey, vice president of the Iowa Farmers Union, as
1,400 pounds of pork was distributed to striking members of
United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 164 and their
families December 23. The Iowa Farmers Union donated 10 hogs.
The Iowa Faith and Labor Committee, PrairieFire, and the Iowa
Federation of Labor paid for processing the meat.
Nearly 1,200 USWA members are on strike at two Titan Tire plants in Des Moines and Natchez, Mississippi. Members of Local 164 walked out May 1 against mandatory overtime, two-tier wages, and for the restoration of pension and health-care benefits for retired workers.
The Natchez unionists, members of USWA Local 303L, hit the bricks in September. They are standing firm against concessions Titan has demanded as part of its recent purchase of that facility.
"Producers, whether agricultural or industrial, need to support one another in their struggles against corporate exploitation," Hoskey declared. "In both instances, large corporate interests are keeping prices high for consumers, without giving producers proper compensation."
Hoskey raises hogs in Montour, Iowa. He gave a dramatic illustration of the crisis working farmers face today.
"Three years ago, we donated two hogs to striking Bridgestone/Firestone members of USWA Local 310. Those two hogs were worth more than ten are this year. We're being taken back to conditions of slavery."
The prices hog farmers are receiving today are less than half the cost of raising the animals. These price levels are the lowest since the 1930s depression.
Around the Midwest, farmers are turning out to demand relief at events sponsored by various forces. The "Pork Price Crisis Forum," held December 29 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, drew some 700 people, most of them farmers. Many farmers there condemned the farm policies of the government. Some promoted a nationalistic view, blaming low prices on imports from Canadian farmers.
A rally sponsored by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and endorsed by other farm organizations is planned for January 12 at the State Capitol in Des Moines.
The farmers' act of solidarity was warmly received by Titan strikers. Local 164 member Denny Wicker said, "The farmers' plight is similar to ours. The only way we're going to resolve our problems is to join forces and show our strength. Íd like to see more of it."
Kathleen McQuillen spoke on behalf of the Iowa Faith and Labor Committee. "We express our solidarity with both the family farmers and the Steelworkers," she said. The organization has met with both union and company officials, and will be issuing a public statement of support for the union.
Local 164 strikers are preparing for a January 14 rally in Quincy, Illinois. Titan is based in Quincy, and the strikers have been working to organize the nonunion Titan Wheel plant there.
For more information on the event call USWA Local 164 at (515) 262-4935.
Ray Parsons and Simone Berg are members of USWA Local 310.