Labor's Legacy: a Landmark for Detroit

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LABOR’S LEGACY A landmark for Detroit THE MICHIGAN LABOR LEGACY PROJECT, INC. Gerald Bantom, President Donald Boggs, Secretary-Treasurer Ken Terry, Trustee David Elsila and David Ivers, Coordinators David Hecker, Fund Raising Committee Chair

CREATORS OF “TRANSCENDING”: DAVID BARR AND SERGIO DE GIUSTI WITH SPECIAL THANKS FOR THEIR WORK ON THE LABOR LEGACY PROJECT TO Mike Kerwin, UAW Local 174 Lisa Canada, Metro Detroit AFL-CIO Richard Berlin Steven P. Bieda Sheryl Singal Al Carnes James V. Settles Jr. Alberta Asmar Mary Ellen Riordan Patrick Devlin Marilyn Wheaton, director, Detroit Dept. of Cultural Affairs The Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs City of Detroit Mayor’s Office; City Council; Planning, Recreation, and Civic Center Depts. And to our jury, which chose the winning design from 55 entries: Dr. Graham Beal, director, Detroit Institute of Arts; Camille Billops, co-director, Hatch-Billops Collection, New York; Bill Black, director, legislative and community affairs, Teamsters; Dr. Melba Boyd, director, Dept. of Africana Studies, Wayne State University; Paul Krell, director, UAW Public Relations Dept.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT AND PROJECT COORDINATOR Merz & Associates, LLC Charles Merz, AIA Tony Maceratini Ron Alpern

SITE CONTRACTORS Turner Construction: Steve Berlage, vice-president and general manager; Ron Dawson, project executive; special thanks to Charlie Hornacek and Sean Hollister Aristeo Construction: James E. Like, vice-president, William Litz, project director Barton Malow: Douglas L. Maibach, vice-president and chair, AGC Greater Detroit chapter, and John Csont, superintendent, trade labor Walbridge Aldinger: David B. Hanson, senior vice-president; E.G. Clawson (recently deceased), group vice-president; Michael Smith, Associated General Contractors (AGC), Greater Detroit Chapter

Kirlin Electric Motor City Electric Guideline Plumbing Herman Rousseau Booms Stone

Arcs Fabricated by David Barr with Capitol Welding

LEGAL COUNSEL David Radtke and Lisa Smith (Klimist McKnight Sale McLow and Conzano)

SITE CONSTRUCTION BY MEMBERS OF THE FOLLOWING UNIONS: Ironworkers Local 25 • Intl. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58 Tile Marble and Terrazzo Workers Local 42 Laborers International Union of North America Intl. Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 • Carpenters and Millwrights Plasterers and Stone Masons

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THOSE OTHERS WHO GAVE OF THEIR TIME, INCLUDING Mark Alexander Steve Babson Barbara Barefield Natasha Bradley Nancy Brigham Shawn Ellis Barb Ingalls Frank Joyce Ann Kerwin Susan Kramer Norris Krastes Tom Lonergan Maude Lyon Dennis McCann Patrice Merritt Dori Veda Middleton Jim Pedersen Jim Pita Mike Poterala Phil Schloop Larry Sherman Frank Singer Mike Smith Ann Steel Reina Sturdivant Beth Thoreson Laurie Stuart and many others L ABO R’S L E GACY 1 e impartiality. After e impartiality. Century. st ont of one of the two engraved tiles at the onze reliefs telling labor’s story. Embedded in the story. telling labor’s onze reliefs tists had been masked out to insur ganizing rallies of the 1930s to the Labor Day parades to ganizing rallies of the 1930s to the Labor isitors often pause in fr om the big or t.” ed under a blazing sun to dedicate the new landmark, ahiled as the tin Luther King, Jr. that more than anything describe this Landmark and that more tin Luther King, Jr. oit’s indusrial might, and open at the top to symbolize labor’s unfinished work. At and open at the top to symbolize labor’s indusrial might, oit’s eds gather eed on a joint collaboration between David Barr and Sergio De Giusti, who between Barr and Sergio eed on a joint collaboration between David ds of Mar

y agr eflect Detr oit was a magnet – fr ISION ISION

Rises eflect hopes for a better world. V oposals from simple sketches to complex drawings had been received. A panel of five jurists – to complex drawings had been received. simple sketches oposals from V , 55 pr ead the moving wor ds that r

ed over the submissions on which the names of the ar ed over the submissions on which the A ore than 120 artists and sculptors from throughout the U.S. throughout artists than 120 sculptors from and ore 2001. Under a in early March downtown Detroit in gathered walked along the river side of Jefferson bright winter sun, they with cameras and sketchbooks just west of Woodward, Avenue c to r ed on the inside to r f por ee semi-finalists, the jur s staf ead the wor cs, gear wo months later The Michigan Labor HistoryThe Michigan Labor for Society had invited the artists, after meeting union historians, the artists met with Labor History Society officers, Center, National Programs At the nearby UAW-Ford T as Barrplan, was to rise 63 feet above steet level in the form of two stainless- and De Giusti named their “Transcending,” The Barr-De Giusti vision excited the labor community, and over the next several months, unions, rank-and-file members, Giusti vision excited the labor community, The Barr-De and tourists and has been hailed in news has been visited by thousands of residents Since its dedication, Transcending esident’ ranscending. On August 22, 2003, hundr Graham Beal, director of the Detroit Institute of Arts; Camille Billups, director of the Hatch-Billups gallery in New York; Bill gallery of the Hatch-Billups director in New York; Institute of Arts; Camille Billups, of the Detroit Graham Beal, director of the UAW Joint Council; Melba Boyd, poet and teacher; and Paul Krell of the Teamsters director Black, community affairs Pr in hand imagining what they could build there to tell the story to of working men they could build there in hand imagining what and women. tri-centennial. city’s for a gift of public art to mark the months to discuss plans site, just north Jefferson enthusiastic, and designated the were officials Detroit A This was a location rich with history. of Hart Plaza, as the spot to build it on. established a community at Indians had Huron Street, few blocks west, at Third workers had plied their trades nearby. settlers in 1701. Fur traders, ship builders, and other the time of the arrival of French In the modern the labor industrial plants had set up shop just a few blocks to the east. And whenever era, auto and other movement rallied, downtown Detr of 1963. All had taken place within a few blocks of this site. the historic civil rights march honor the working history, up with a work of art to inform the public about labor’s and others who laid out a challenge: come vision for a better future. with labor’s visitors and inspire women and men who built our city, selecting thr “a wonderful example Maud Lyon, 300 Director the world. “It was,” said Detroit them have public art installations throughout work of ar of democracy in selecting a plan for a major steel ar night, the gap would be lit as a reminder of the energy of working people. A spiral walkway at the base would lead visitors to of the energy night, the gap would be lit as a reminder seven granite boulders, split in half with the polished inside faces holding br walkway would be milestones telling labor’s achievements for the public good. A raised dais, intended as a speaker’s stand, achievements for the public good. A raised dais, intended as a speaker’s walkway would be milestones telling labor’s rights and social justice. Beneath the dais would be a time capsule activists for labor prominent would include quotations from of the 21 holding letters, badges, newspapers, and other labor mementos of the first years what it stands for: “The arc of history,” his words read, “bends toward justice.” “bends toward read, his words of history,” what it stands for: “The arc

and various enterprises would contribute some $1.6 million to bring the vision to reality. Members of several building and to reality. and various enterprises would contribute some $1.6 million to bring the vision would complete and embedded the tiles that, two years later, the arcs, construction trades unions laid the foundations, erected T Symphony Orchestra, work of public art in the nation honoring workers. At the dedication, members of the Detroit largest salute to Transcending. and played an original fanfare Federation of Musicians, composed by the Detroit represented you can find people sitting media both locally and nationally both for its artistic merits and for the story it tells. On any day, or standing on the sculptures, the Landmark, walking along the spiral pathway past the bronze on the benches that surround dais to r base of each ar M 2 L ABO R’S L E GACY M Dates inDetr a gr to dispelthecorruptionofcomplacencyinAmericaandseek long asoneAmericanisdeniedhisrights,Iwilldoallcan as oneAmericanchildisdeniedtherighttoeducation.As hour, Iwouldn’t beinterested… Iwillbedissatisfiedaslong that call:“Ifitwasjustaquestionofwinningsixcentsan r less vice;more leisure andlessgreed; more justiceandless less jails;more and booksandlessarsenals;more learning asked AFLPr struggling for, a betterfuture. “Whatdoeslaborwant?”once labor movementhasneverstoppeddreaming about,or between richandpoorar plane.” in thisnewcentury, andthatwewillallstandonthesame pr wr of hisdreams hope,”he forthefuture. “Itismyearnest horses replaced byonespowered byelectricity. And,hetold described howduringhislifetimehesawstr evenge.” Muchlater Detroit Me Society founded osper andthatclasssocietywillbewipedoutofexistence ote, “thattheunionmovementwillcontinuetogr L While McLeod’s hopeshavenotyetcometrue—thegap eater senseofnationalpurpose.” 1818 ABOR has beendeniedthem.” find timetoeducateourselvesandourchildren andtaketheplaceinsocietywhich our conditions,reduced thehoursoflabor, andincreased wagessothatwenowcan Malcolm McLeodin1901.“Andthrough theefforts ofthoseunionswehavebettered “All skilledlaborinDetroit isorganized intotradeunions,”wrote streetcar driver chanics’ esident SamGompers.“Mor opened ahundred yearslater, in2001,he Century. Inhisletter, buried inatimecapsule workers unionatthebeginningof20 cLeod wastheheadofstreet railway for highpay,shorter Carpenters march , UAW President Walter Reutherechoed worktime 1837 D H oit’s e stillwideandgrowing wider—the ISTORY F REAMING of abetter P UTURE rinters strike 1839 e schoolhousesand eetcars pulledby ow and Typographers Union, oldest continuing union, founde th 1852 Detroit and housedthenthesepeoplear rection andourprisonsare betterfed,more comfortablyclad ed inmuddyalleyways.“Theinmatesofourhousescor with theirfamiliesin“filthy, dilapidated,littlehovels”situat- hard from sunrisetosunsetinthesamebrickyard, living ers, wher work inabrickyard severalhoursadaynexttotheirmoth- Springwells, wher Labor andIndustrialStatisticsdescribedlifeinthesuburbof 1883, thefirstannualreport oftheMichiganBureau of who were oftheskilledtradesorcraftlabor. notpart In life hadbeenlikeformanyDetr Century, hedidnothavetolookbackfarremember what ofthe19 achievements attheturn Years ofStruggle eventually makeDetr leaders andsocialreformers overtheyearsandthatwould kinds ofdreams thathavemotivated manyofDetroit’s labor tions, raisingwages,helpingendpoverty. Thesewere the and fed. though theyhadcommittednocrime,inor admissiontotheDetroituntary House ofCorrections, even Indeed thatsameyeardozensofDetroiters were seekingvol- towns. d When MalcolmMcLeodspokeoflabor’s Abolishing childlabor, providing decentworkingcondi- The labormovementhadits earliest beginningshere in First Lab e theirsiblingsof10yearsorolderwer 1885 parade or Day e childr oit oneofthenation’ workers strikewith strong community en asyoungsevenwere putto Detroit trolley 1891 support oiters —particularthose e,” declar th ed ther s pr Unions (latertob der tobehoused Detroit F Detroit Councilof emier T Lab rades andLab e working 1892 or) founde epor e union ederation of ederation t. e d - or come L ABO R’S L E GACY 3 - 1 94 om their 1 d’s River d’s UAW wins UAW contract at Ford Century, efforts were efforts Century, n to For th 7 93 1 hit Detroit Sitdown strikes . Facing the hunger and homeless- ces. Five workers died fr oit and Dearbor eat Depression, they brought petitions asking they brought eat Depression, 935 UAW UAW ough Detr founded 1 s security for d’ ed sixty years earlier ched thr d fed us bullets.” In March, 1932, thousands of unemployed workers In March, A year earlier, at a Kroger grocery warehouse, workers led warehouse, grocery at a Kroger A year earlier, om For The Turbulent Thirties The Turbulent mar employers sent spies into the unions and established a black employers sent spies into the unions and list of union activists. In the early 20 in the industrial workforce the growing made to organize (IWW), the World of The Industrial Workers auto industry. in 1913, and tried staged the first auto strike at Studebaker thou- plant in Highland Park where the Ford to organize Still, little new assembly line. on Henrysands labored Ford’s would be made in this sector until two decades progress later. workers had the brickyard where Rouge plant, not far from labor ness of the Gr the plant, As they approached for jobs and health care. Ford met with a barrage of bullets were these hunger marchers fr them at a funeral servicewounds and thousands honored a asked for food; some bearing signs like “We few days later, For ord F 1932 Hunger March erry Strike” Kroger’s 1931 grocery stores wins contract at . The dominant t sector went on strike, “Strawb orkers th of July parade. By 1886, the owing por ong enough to bring more than ong enough to bring more s gr 1913 of the World of the World leads strike of oit Mechanics’ Society was founded. Industrial W Studebaker workers eas of unskilled labor ote about in his letter of 1901. As they gained 1901 worktime for shorter ds or other ar But most of the organizing took place not in the brick- But most of the organizing Machinists strike 10,000 workers out for a Labor Day parade. yar and by 1865 the burgeoning labor movement marched as a as labor movement marched and by 1865 the burgeoning separate division in the Four labor movement was str among American Federation of Labor concentrated its efforts that Malcolm the groups the crafts and the skilled workforce, MacLeod wr members, struck, and won shorter worktime and higher pay, 1818, when the Detr More of an educational and fraternal organization than a of an educational and fraternalMore organization workers and union, the Society was able to bring skilled a mutual insurance fund and businessmen together to create In the 1830s, carpenters and printers organized; a library. higher pay in 1837 carpenters struck for shorter hours and and history, first strike in the city’s the in what was probably By 1852 the printers had printers struck two years later. Union, the oldest con- Typographical established the Detroit years Three history. tinuing functioning union in the city’s demanded and won shorter work clerks the city’s later, workers struck and two years later hours. In 1863, railroad dockworkers in the city’ 4 L ABO R’S L E GACY Dates inDetroit’s r sought tobuildontheirearlysuccesses,widening Economic Gains,SocialJustice ized hadsucceededonmanyfronts. contract. Thedecadesofstr election, andwhentheUAW won,negotiatedandsigneda Ford, thelastholdoutinauto,hadagreed toarepresentation ing ofdozensunioncontractsacr founded Congress ofIndustrialOrganizations andthesign- r at hotels,departmentstores andotherretail outlets.The gain. Sitdownsspread toDetroit –notjustinautoplantsbut would for late December, thesitdownstrikeinFlintthat 1936started for industr march strike”andsporadicstrikesin andthe“Strawberry the union,r berries indangerofrotting, managementagreed totalkwith layoff oftwotheircrew members.With aloadofstraw- Teamsters Unioninlater years,strucktoprotest thesudden by JimmyHoffa, whowouldbecomepresident ofthe each, str esult wasamassivemembershipincrease inthenewly ce. In1935,autoworkersmettofor L Over thelastsixdecades,Detroit’s laborunionshave As theDepression continued,eventslikethehunger General Motors UA 1946 ABOR y begantoemboldenthegr W strikes engthening tiestotheircommunities,andexpand ce GeneralMotorstor ehir ed theworkers,andsignedacontract. Martin LutherKing, Jr W orkers marchwith H uggle toorganize theunorgan- 1963 ISTORY ecognize theunionandbar owing industrialwork oss Detr m theUA . oit. By1941, bargaining rights bargaining P win colle ublic workers W and,in 1965 ctive - - - strong.” us, to“bringbir Sergio DeGiusti’s finalsculpture attheLandmarkreminds labor’ ized bythegapattopofLaborLegacyLandmark, other earlyunionistscouldnothaveimagined.Assymbol- for amore justsocietytodayfaces challenges thatheand without borders —aglobalallianceofworkers. Canada, Mexico,andothercountriestobuildsolidarity Detroit’s unionshavereached outtotheircolleaguesin As theglobalizationofeconomycontinues,some all sectionsofthelabormovementtoworkforsocialjustice. Action, PrideatWork, andothersuchgroups seektounite Randolph Institute,theLatinAmericanCoalitionforLabor Women, theTrade UnionLeadershipCouncil,theA.Philip ing amore justcommunity. TheCoalitionofLaborUnion of bringingtogetherlaborandfaithcommunitiesforbuild Workers IssuesandJobswithJusticecontinuethetradition far and lettuceboycottsledbyCesarChaveztobringjustice members were amongthestrongest supportersofthegrape joined himinthequestforhumanrights.Detroit union W ences tofellowunionmembersandthebroader community. Workers inmusicandtheartsbringnewculturalexperi- including womenandAfricanAmericans,asjourneymen. oodwar m workers.Gr Detroiters join grape b The dream ofearlylaborleaderslike MalcolmMacLeod When Dr. LutherKingJr. Martin marched down 1970s s workisneverfinished.W oycott d A ve. inJune,1963,thousandsofunionmembers oups liketheInter th anewworld…fortheunion makesus 1995-2000 Newspaper strike underrepresented groups, workers from previously training increasing numbersof to raisenewstructures while trades workershavecontinued Building andconstruction branches ofgovernment. through universityandinall ment, from kindergarten sands joinedthelabormove- gaining inthe1960s,thou- won therighttocollectivebar- ers andotherpublicworkers economic justice.Whenteach- ing theirfightforsocialand e continuetostrive,as faith Committeeon Landmark dedicated Lab Michigan 2003 or Legacy or Legacy - L ABO R’S L E GACY 5 e. Aristeo, . The two om Italy s rich labor history. s rich labor history. IGH oviding paid pensions and health car ea’ H - s father was a cement worker who emigrated fr s father was a cement worker who emigrated eful om ending child labor to pr cs, marking a new chapter in this ar Labor Builds a Builds Labor r had worked car s milestones, fr ISING ISING uct the ar gaining team, and De Giusti’ Landmark for Michigan Landmark y in Vermont to select the granite boulders that would be placed at the site. Workers sliced them in to select the granite boulders that would be placed at the site. Workers y in Vermont s bronze reliefs. s bronze ecall labor’ r R ner Construction, and Walbridge Aldinger, all union firms, did the major construction work at the site with Aldinger, ner Construction, and Walbridge ur ved on its bar , T t first, it sounded like a typical construction job t first, it sounded like and Craig McEntyre Joe Malaneo, for Ken Gilbey, used to “skywalkers” who are skilled — three bracing steel structures placing, welding, and d, a site passed daily by thousands of pedestrians and vehicles. d, a site passed daily by thousands of pedestrians neyed to a union quar ton Malow As the arcs rose in sections day by day in early May, union workers would cross Jefferson to view the structure from all dif- from to view the structure Jefferson union workers would cross in sections day by day in early May, rose As the arcs spent an extra just right.” He and his colleagues it’s “and I want to make sure Gilbey, “I’m a perfectionist,” said Ironworker into the hollow interior to stabi- cement was poured weighs 30 tons, even before It was no easy job. The steel in the arches a place for visitors to sit benches that offer The workers installed a raised dais for speakers and musicians, and surrounding Many of them were moved by the idea of building a monument to honor labor. Many of them were The two graceful, curving arcs would soon become the The two graceful, curving arcs art De Giusti. The two won the commission for the collaborative proposal with their sculptor Sergio with Barr was Working workers and other and Terrazzo Stone Masons, Tile Engineers, Carpenters, Electricians, Laborers, Operating Ironworkers, But the trio and their co-workers in the building and con- But the trio and their co-workers in the

oodwar A Bar help from Motor City Electrical, Boom Stone, and Associated General Contractors. help from ‘I’m a Perfectionist’ do not touch at the top, it was critical that the two sides line up both horizontally and vertically. angles. Because the arcs ferent fine-tuning. but to the workers it needed more On the last day of construction, most eyes would have judged the job okay, the two bases ever so slightly until they tops lined up to their satis- hours unbolting, moving, and refastening four-and-a-half faction. light an arcing the bases to each top, where Local 58 ran connectors from lize it. Meanwhile, members of Electrical Workers energy. symbolizing labor’s between the two sides will light up the night sky, the 40 quotations on labor and social-justice themes. They also placed a and reading after viewing the sculptures and rest dozen paving stones that r ly over many months to polish the arcs to a gleaming finish ly over many months to polish the arcs Detroit. trucked to downtown they were before of just west of Hart Plaza on Jefferson space in front the green Landmark, rising from centerpiece of the Michigan Labor Legacy W Community Barr was one of the founders of the faculty union at Macomb labor roots: Both have that they call “Transcending.” College and ser union members all helped constr high above the ground. Their goal: erecting a six-story Their goal: erecting 30- high above the ground. Detroit. in downtown ton structure that this would be no ordi- struction trades soon discovered they were nary The 63-foot-high stainless-steel twin arcs job. would be a lifelong tribute to each of them asked to erect of thousands of other union members in and to the hundreds southeast Michigan. Sculptor David Bar jour the spiral placed along carefully they were where shipping them to Michigan, before two and polished one face on each half walkway to hold De Giusti’ 6 L ABO R’S L E GACY H Designer andsculptorwhocreate By DAVID BARR Art forPeople, NotforAristocrats manner. sionately toproduce inthisuniquely American worksofart Labor. Ichallengeotherswhobelieve intheircausesaspas- ef appropriate forademocracy. capable offunding,cr the distantfieldsofthoseslaughter arch oftriumphwelcomedthelivingsoldier, butobscured quering general,butrar that aristocracy funded bythearistocracyandresult glorifying wasart for personalprofit. of thosewhohaveheartlessly andfrequently exploitedthem the fundamentalvaluesof worker, andnotthearrogance been reawakened nobility dependson tothefactthattrue quar ers, ar a great dealaboutlabor’s messagefrom constructionwork- True NobilityDependsonWorkers’ Values It isar lars atatime,theirunions,andfriendsfundedthisart. examples ofsuchar for The Americanexperimentcanpr I havebeenreminded thatAmericawasbuiltbyworkers ts ofMichiganworkers,andintensifyingthemessage rymen, stoneworkers,andunionorganizers.rymen, Ihave chitects, lightingdesigners,steel fabricators,engineers, t initiatedbythelabormovement,r cation ceremonies forthisnewworkofpublicartonAugust22,2003. the MichiganLaborLegacyLandmark,reflected ontheirworkinremarks atthededi- Sculptors DavidBarr andSergio DeGiusti,who collaboratedtocreate “Transcending,” This wastrueinEuropean where history artwas In thepr it intensifiesthemovement’ a criticalrole inanysocialmovement,because People’s HistoryoftheUnitedStates istorian HowadZinnasser . Paintingandsculptur ocess ofcr t. Individualworkers,onehundr A MonumentalAchievement ‘T eating, constructing,andinstallingart ely ennobledthedeadpeasant.The eating Transcending RANSCENDING’ T ed inwar ranscending, oduce anewart.We are d thearch e depictedthecon ts, inhisbook s messages.” is oneoftherare epr ARTISTS . esenting the that “artplays I’ve lear ed dol A ned - - and canafford to goawayonvacation.Allofthis—the eight- the familiesthat owntheirhomes,acar pride tothehighstandard oflivingthe workingclass— safety andwellbeing. our elderly, thefoodonourtables,medicalcare, our br system, thewatertreatment oftheairwe labor: thebuildings,roads, theautomobiles,electrical br and will,aspiralthatflowsfrom anopenedcircle, and could onlybesplitopenandpolishedbyLabor’ of rectangles around that it,with stonesofancienthistory rifice anddefiance—acircle thatdefiesthearchitectural grid and fresh ofsac- metaphors.Ibeganwith images andforms Translating LaborHistoryintoArt erate us. time withquotedvoicesthatwar that metaphoricallymovestheearth.Engravedstonesdefy 100 millionyears.T ishing massiveboulderswhichhaveresisted reshaping for example, buildingthesculptur of defianceandsacrifice,inmind,body willingness tosacrificeisheroic. purpose isawaste.Butdefianceforhighervalue,andthe out goalisadolescent.Sacrificewithoutaworthy unafraid ofdefianceandsacrifice.Defiancewith- onzes thatexpr eathe, oureducationandthat ofourchildr As Howar Wher My challengewastotranslateLabor’s ideals,intovibrant Transcending ever welook,seethevictoriesoforganized d Zinnnotes,“Americansoften pointwith is anartworkinresponse toLabor’s history ess thehistoricalsacrificesofworkers. wo steelar cs defygravity e r n us,encourageandlib- equired splittingandpol- , andspirit.For , for , atelevision en, thecar s ingenuity ming agear e of L ABO R’S L E GACY 7 - , . esent the old t see that uling class fat- epr will speak to uggle is not over uling class sends the ou don’ e here today to unveil e here e ar th, but embracing humani Transcending t ned. W The average American in an The average American But still the r this country. Only then can we final- Only then can this country. of the the promise ly make real to give Declaration of Independence, and chil- all men—and women ‘life, liberty, equal right to dren—the and the pursuit of happiness.’” Continue Our Challenges to live 40 industrial city can expect better than he years longer and far or she could anticipate 100 years part to the ago. This is due in large labor enormous impact of organized on our quality of life. of the working class to war. children The ruling class dictates school ollment policies. The r y it has ear ch and among the stones. Y en of the working class. All these r , and glor . Some people ask me for an explanation of the sculptures. While aristocratic and totalitarian societies tend to build While aristocratic and totalitarian societies It is also clear what labor has given to us. Now it’s time us. Now it’s It is also clear what labor has given to nessed enthusiastic picture-taking by a large wedding party by a large nessed enthusiastic picture-taking under the ar of The Joe Louis Fist! happening in front Explaining the Ar many budgets and school enr while draining the tens its financial and social advantages of and environment health plans, education, social security, the childr str aristocracy at work. It is clear that our its landmark as a tribute to its valiant history, the crucial its landmark as a tribute to its valiant history, and the exciting future. present, monuments to victorious generals, or maniacal dictators, the American challenge is to find our own voices, our own vision. By soaring out of the ear for this city and this state to embrace labor with the power for this city and this state to embrace dignity yet pay- ty below it, by forming an excitement for the future, ing homage to the past, I hope marks the , this work of eady Transcending ficient to bring about economic e people. Alr t inspir ect action of workers themselves in their , a fairly decent wage and vacations with pay—did , a fairly decent wage and vacations with tones have a great presence and have always been presence tones have a great markers of a used to commemorate events. They are people and a generation. existence of our people, of our labor generation. uggles or through the response of state and national the response uggles or through eat works of ar Gr “None of this has been suf will lib- “Only when wealth is equalized (at least roughly) ough the dir ty be equalized. And only then will justice be possible in Sculptor of the bronze reliefs that surround the arch We Become of the Art Part We GIUSTI DE SERGIO By we wit- public art is being used by the public. Last Saturday, labor str governments of labor militancy. to the threat pro- gigantic justice in this country of wealth and poverty, duction and colossal waste, glittering luxury and miserable going to make the radical changes to pro- slums. If we are justice, much more duce a situation we can call economic and struggle, People will have to organize will be required. to strike, to boycott, to engage in politics, to go to protest, outside of politics and engage in civil disobedience, to act out the equalization of wealth. er not come about through the natural workings of the market not come about through of government. the kindness It came about or through thr

hour day S 8 L ABO R’S L E GACY br audience —gazingonthear this incr tra ar pr Romanelli. Iam Italian,DavidBarrisEnglish andweare Rivalta, andtheDantesculpture onBelleIsleisbyRaffaello str and agr Manzu, whosereliefs were partofagreat Italiantradition his simplicityofdesign. that wewantedourworktoproperly co-existandrelate to Pylon. HisinfluencewasimportanttobothDaveandme, in great symbolsinHartPlaza—theDodgeFountainand The incredible JapaneseAmerican, IsamuNoguchicreated Under Fist. EdDwightwhoisAfricanAmericanmadethe Detroit. GrahamwhoisMexicanAmerican didthe Robert dif Our Ar mittee memberswer stage set,Icreated thecharactersinopera,andcom- among thestonesofStonehenge.DavidBarrcreated the It r of labor. detailed. Iwantedavarietyofpanelstoconveythemessage panels are simplewithoutfigures, andothersare more the bouldersandlookingatimagesIhavecr become partoftheartbyenteringandwanderingamong influences ourexperiencehere. Thisisaplacewhere people We create anditiswhateachvisitorbringstothat theart influences. gods enterValhalla inWagner’s opera.ItalsohasMayan Bridge inArizonaandDelicateArch inUtah.Itiswhere the of theAmericanWest —eroded giantstoneslikeRainbow I tellthemthatforme,itislikethegreat stonemonuments onze reliefs, andreading thelaborquotations. oud tohaveworked togethertocr eet infront ofthegasbuilding. fer Down thestreet istheColumbusbustbyAugusto Many Italiansar It isanhonortobeinthecompanyofothersculptors In somerespects,dramaticoperaticstage. itislikeavery Each ofuswilldecidewhatitmeansonapersonallevel. eminds meofBellini’ ent nationalitieswhocr e allthepeoplewhocontributedfundsandlaborto gr eat inspirationtome,hasasculptur edible event.Theviewersvisitingthesiteare our ound Railroad sculpture nearby andinWindsor. t HasManyRoots e alsor e thelibr s Nor epr eated monumentsforthecityof ma ettists. Thechor esented inDetr ch, studyingthefigur wher eate thisnewpublic ar e thedr e across the oit. Giacomo us andor uids mingle eated. Some es onthe ches t. - Milestones &Quotes 18 L ABO R’S L E GACY Pensions SocialSecurity and To Protect HealthCare, W UAW LOCAL 228 orking inSolidarity ensJ er ay .Henson L. Daryl President Henry Dennis J. LetUsAlways Remember. G U Retired, Local212 Retired, REETINGS Ken Morris UAW 1-B A W LOCAL 160 and Active Members and Active Retiree Chapter Executive Board Financial Secretary-Treasurer Providing Classes,Seminars,Consultingand or ar Research forastrongerlabormovement Orientation heldonSaturday, Sept.24 Call usaboutjoiningtheLaborSchool Wayne StateUniversityisanequalopportunity/ Alumni Association,classschedules, rangements foreducationalprograms S TUDIES and Monday, September26 Labor SchoolstartsSept.27 to beheldatyourlocal. af (313) 577-2191 fir mative actionemployer L ABOR C ENTER . L ABO R’S L E GACY 19 Operating Engineers to come 20 18 L ABO R’S L E GACY …for thehealthof to natures. cultivate better our more oftheopportunities infact, less revenge; justiceand greed; more more leisureandless andlessvice; learning less arsenals;more jails; morebooksand schoolhouses andless What doeslabor Wewant want? more or ganized labor Michigan’s M M i c h i g a . n A F L - C I the strugglesandaccomplishments O e your effortstopreserveandshare labor’s milestoneswhichresultin xpresses ourdeepestgratitudefor Labor HistoryMuseum This beautifulgiftofpublicart the standardoflivingenjoyed by somanyworkerstoday. S The MonroeCounty is agreatvenuetoshare t a our forebearsfought Samuel Gompers Samuel t e and diedfor. F e d e r a t i o n L ABO R’S L E GACY 19 21 TIONAL On the political front, our vigorous campaign efforts On the political front, Democrats to the helped elect three progressive we helped build strong cam- Michigan legislature, and and local progressive candidates. paigns for other state Come work with us as we build a just society for all. Use the coupon to sign up today, and receive regular information about our activities throughout Michigan. TION oit Stage on the DUCA E OUNDA ANT F omen and Men as Y R B ns to the Detr RANT Commemorated in the LISE G orking W Join Detroit Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) of America Socialists Democratic Join Detroit E Is Proud To Help Celebrate Is Proud To Floor • New York NY 10014 Floor • New York W th The Achievements of Michigan’s HE Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark. 12 T Which Retur And We Salute Steve Jones, Elise Bryant, Salute And We Bill Meyer, and the Entire Cast and Crew of and Bill Meyer, FORGOTTEN, the Labor Jazz/Blues Opera Second Anniversary of the Labor Legacy Landmark! Visit Our Web Site at: www.dsausa.org Visit Our Web DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA (DSA) DEMOCRATIC

180 Varick Street, 180 Varick

___ Yes! I want to ___ join or ___renew my membership in DSA and receive in DSA I want to ___ join or ___renew my membership ___ Yes! a subscription to Democratic Left magazine. My annual dues are enclosed: ___$50 (sustainer) ___$40 (regular) ___$20 (low income/student) and democratic socialism. DSA ___ Please send me more information about Name______No. & Street______City______State______ZIP______Phone______E-mail______Union/School/Organization______Send to: Detroit DSA has been a dynamic and active participant in winning five local living-wage campaigns, in getting Wayne State University to bar State University Wayne five local living-wage campaigns, in getting a dynamic and active participant in winning has been Detroit DSA campaign to support the at Work in its Voice sweatshops, and in working with the AFL-CIO in Third World the sale of products made members of coalition, and we are founding backbone of the state single-payer health-insurance remain the Act. We Employee Free Choice fighting the Bush privatization efforts. to Strengthen Social Security and Medicare, the Michigan Alliance Organize! Don’t Mourn, Don’t as we strive to create a better community and a more humane world. and a more humane to create a better community as we strive 22 L ABO R’S L E GACY as it celebrates the second anniversary ofthe thesecondanniversary as itcelebrates working menandwomen of ourcommunity. The UAW-GM forHuman Center Resources The UAW the andGeneralMotorsapplaud Society’s continuedeffortstohonorthe People MakingaDifference Michigan Labor History Society Michigan LaborHistory Assembly Lineto GoalLine... Labor Legacy Landmark is proudtosupportthe Teamwork Wins

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A U N D I E T L ABO R’S L E GACY 23 UAW Local 600 full page Local 600 UAW 24 L ABO R’S L E GACY www.UFCW951.com Vice Executive MacLeod, Sande Vice Executive Cakmakci, John Rec Smith, Phyllis Secretary/Treasurer Radke, Larry President Potter, Bob h r fhsoybnstwr justice. history bends toward arc of the eert h eiaeadpoieof promise and heritage the celebrate h ebr,ofcr,adsafof staff and officers, members, The h ao Legacy Landmark, Labor the order eidn l that all reminding - president - president 800 - 999 - 0951 L ABO R’S L E GACY 25 ector

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‘WE BUILT THIS CITY’ THIS BUILT ‘WE UA Joe P

Forever Solidarity Landmark. Labor Legacy Labor Legacy The Michigan Enshrined at And Vision Are And Vision And Whose History And Whose Who Built Our City Who Built Men and Women Salutes the Working Working Salutes the UAW Region 1 UAW 26 L ABO R’S L E GACY Leo Girard,President of America United Steelworkers Fr Solidarity Forever Labor LegacyLandmark. That formthe 30 Tons ofSteel Is asStrongthe LABOR The pastwon’tbe‘Forgotten’ om the while wefightforthefuture Communications W Seth Rosen V ice Pr District 4 esident orkers ofAmerica L ABO R’S L E GACY 27 EGACY EGACY AL SUEMNICK L ARIAL & MAINTENANCE ICHIGAN REGION 1A STAFF ANDMARK supports the M L SECRET ABOR ABOR Director Assistant Director L UAW REGION 1A REGION UAW JAMES U. SETTLES, JR. Jim Juracek Janet Schulz Chuck Zurawski Greg Drudi Jim Pedersen John Uram Don Jividen Rudy Roberts Frank Woods Deborah Buzzy Lugene Nelson Robert Spindleman Richard Greenfield Al Przydzial Al Wilson Kathy Stafford Stevers Wanda Barbara Turner Jane Wolfenbarger Ken Wood Robyn Aeschbacker Sandy Barbara Michelle Best Derek Lewis Chris Neal 28 L ABO R’S L E GACY Trades Council Building &Construction Greater Detroit A RC .DVI JOHNHAMILTON DEVLIN PATRICK J. ertr/raue President Secretary/Treasurer 1640 Porter Street •Detroit MI48216 WAYNE OAKLAND MACOMB MONR Union Trade Workers inSixCounties (313) 965-5080•fax965-3232 Representing theFinestSkilled www.detroitbuildingtrades.org E S.CLAIRSANILAC OE ST. this one)whatisthe12th? I only have 11pages ofads(including Trades Council?full? Building &Construction What siz (scan logo) e adisGr eater Detroit THE BUILDERS OF ‘TRANSCENDING’ ‘Transcending’ was made possible by donations from more than 1,800 rank-and-file workers and individuals. You can see their names, or the names of those they chose to honor, at the permanent wall on the east side of the Landmark. Names continue to be accepted for a minimum $100 donation, and once 80 new names are received, a new plaque list- ing them will be engraved and installed on the wall. ORGANIZATIONAL & GROUP DONORS The following unions, organizations, and enterprises provided generous contributions through grants and in-kind donations to help complete the Labor Legacy Landmark:

International Union, UAW American Postal Workers Union Local 295 Metro Detroit Labor News Laborers’ International Union Locals 334 & 1076 AtDetroit.com Michigan Corrections Organization, SEIU L. 526M and the Labor Management Fund and Their Contributing Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco, Grain Millers Michigan Democratic Party Contractors (Associated General Contractors, Greater Detroit Chapter; Poured Concrete Wall Association; Associated Concrete Local 326 Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Contractors of Michigan; Mason Contractors Association; Bank One Personnel, AFT Architectural Contractors Trade Association) Barefield DesignWorks Michigan Maritime Trades Port Council UAW-DaimlerChrysler National Training Center BeneSys, Inc. Michigan Nurses Assn. UAW-Ford National Programs Center Bernie’s Brigade Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union United Food & Commercial Workers Boilermakers Local 169 Michigan State Assn. of Letter Carriers Locals 876 and 951 Buck Dinner Milestone Realty Services UAW-GM Center for Human Resources Chicago & Central States Joint Board, UNITE! Millwrights Local 1102 Local 124-129 Munder Capital o Comerica Bank NABET-CWA Local 43 Communication Workers of America National Assn. of Letter Carriers Branch 1 Blue Cross Blue Shield Metro Area Council National Assn. of Letter Carriers Local 3126 Blue Care Network of Michigan Dearborn Federation of School Employees, Newspaper Guild of Detroit Local 22 Health Alliance Plan AFT Local 4750 OPEIU Local 459 Metro Detroit AFL-CIO Delaware Investments OPEIU Local 494 Desai/Nasr Consulting Engineers Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 514 o Detoit Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 5 Organization of School Administrators & Detroit Assn. of Educational Office Employees Supervisors Local 28 Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers Local 1 AFT Local 4168 PACE Local 1001 Connelly Crane Rental Corporation Detroit Board of Education AFSCME Local 345 PACE Local 6-0568 International Union of Operating Engineers, Detroit Democratic Socialists of America PACE Local 7568 Locals 324 and 547 Detroit Federation of Para-Professionals, Painters District Council Detroit Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 231 AFT Local 2350 Paper and Allied Chemical Employees Intl. Union Merz and Associates Detroit Firefighters Association Pipefitters Local 636 UAW Region 1 Detroit Labor History Tours, Workers Education Plasters Local 67 UAW Region 1A Local 189 (CWA, UALE) River House Co-Operative UAW Region 1C Detroit Newspaper Strike, July 13, 1995 Roofers Union Local 149 UAW Region 1D Detroit Police Command Officers Association Sachs Waldman, PC Detroit Sprinkler Fitters Local 704 Seafarers International Union o Detroit Typographical Union Local 18 SEIU Local 31-M East Detroit Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 698 SEIU Local 79 Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 Fifth Third Bank SEIU Local 80 AFSCME Council 25 Gas Workers Local 80, SEIU SEIU Michigan State Council Aristeo Construction Co. Graphic Communications Union Local 13-N Southfield Fire Fighters Local 1029 Associated General Contractors of Greater Detroit Graphic Communications Union Local 2/289M Stefansky, Holloway, & Nichols Inc. Barton Malow Co. Greater Detroit Building and Tile Marble & Terrazzo Local 32 Capital Welding Construction Trades Council UAW Chesterfield Members Delta Dental Heat & Frost Insulators Local 25 UAW Local 160 IBEW Local 58 Henry Ford Comm. College Federation of Teachers, UAW Local 163 Iron Workers Local 25 AFT Local 1650 UAW Local 174 Klimist, McKnight, Sale, McClow and Canzano, PC Hotel and Restaurant Employees Local 24 UAW Local 1753 Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs IBEW Local 17 UAW Local 212 Michigan Regional Council of IBEW Local 58 Retirees UAW Local 22 Carpenters and Millwrights Intl. Alliance of Theatrical State Employees UAW Local 2200 Michigan State AFL-CIO Locals 38, 786, 812 UAW Local 375 Turner Construction Co. Intl. Assn. of Machinists District 60 UAW Local 387 Walbridge Aldinger Co. Intl. Assn. of Machinists Local Lodge 141 UAW Local 600 Utility Workers Local 223 Intl. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers UAW Local 600 Retirees Chapter Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters UAW Local 723 o Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1038 UAW Local 735 Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 243 UAW Local 78 Kelsey-Hayes Sitdown Strikers Acquest Realty Advisors Inc. Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 299 UAW Local 892 AFGE Local 1658 Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 339 UAW Local 900 AFSCME Local 1166, MSU Intl. Union of Elevator Constructors Local 36 UAW Local 909 Alpha Capital Management Labor’s Intl. Hall of Fame UAW Local 985 Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1564 Laborfest UNITE! American Federation of School Administrators, Martens, Ice, Geary, Klass, Legghio, Israel & United Steelworkers Local 2659 Michigan Gorchow, PC United Steelworkers of America District 2 American Federation of Television and Radio Artists McLaughlin Co. Wayne Co. Sheriff/Airport Police, SEIU Local 502 American Postal Workers Union Local 1766 Merrill Lynch This is a publication of the Michigan Labor History Society Walter P. Reuther Library, 5401 Cass, Detroit MI 48202 Co-Chairs: Donald Boggs, Joseph Peters, James V. Settles Secretary: Alberta Asmar Treasurer: Richard Berlin Program Committee Chair: Michael Kerwin

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