Community Coalition Day of Action

Community Coalition Day of Action

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Community Coalition Day of Action

In Support of Giti Tire Manufacturer Workers

Recap of Columbia DSA’s Critical Support for: Community Coalition Day of Action by Jacklyn Sobotowicz

(Above: A group of activists, and community leaders give rousing speeches in front of the Giti tire sign.)

Introduction:

After passing a resolution in support of Giti Tire workers at the November Regular Meeting, Columbia DSA members carpooled to Richburg, SC on November 23rd, 2021 to march in solidarity with other activists & community leaders, to deliver a letter to management demanding the workers be able to unionize.

Background:

In 2017, Singaporean “Giti” tire manufacturer agreed to open a plant in a small town about an hour north of Columbia, SC, named Richburg. After receiving large financial incentives from the SC state government, and in turn making even larger promises about creating “1,700 local jobs”, and “investing $560 million”, Giti has elected to take advantage of our collective good will in South Carolina by mistreating, and underpaying their workforce.

Earlier this year (2021) workers at the plant reported such egregious treatment as mandatory overtime, unpredictable schedules, low wages, and the inability to have time off to spend with their family without retaliation. When the workers raised their concerns, they reported being intimidated with the threat of being fired, and even that Giti would close the plant before they let a union operate on their property.

In response to this, a group of concerned activists, and community leaders set out to march on November 23rd, 2021 to deliver a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Giti plant, Mr. Phang Wai Yeen, calling on “Giti” to treat their workers better, and allow them to vote on forming a union.

(Above: Activists & Community leaders march to deliver the letter to plant CEO Mr. Phang Wai Yeen.)

Our Involvement:

Electoral Politics WG Chair Curt Shumate organized a carpool to take members to the action, and back. Four Columbia DSA members in all were able to attend, including chapter President Lee Goff, Treasurer Fiona Martin, and Compliance Director Jacklyn Sobotowicz. We left around 2pm EST, and arrived at 3pm to a parking lot a short distance from the tire manufacturing plant.

(Fiona, Jacklyn, and Lee.)

(AFL-CIO of SC President Charles Brave leads us in prayer.)

Once there, we made the rounds, introducing ourselves to the other activists, and community leaders. There appeared to be around fifty to seventy people in all, including the AFL-CIO of SC President Mr. Charles Brave, who led us in a powerful prayer for safety. Afterwards, we all piled in our cars, and drove over to the “Giti” plant.

(Sarah, Curt, Buddy, Lee, Jacklyn.)

(Lee, Wayne, Fiona, Jacklyn)

One forceful speech after another, we heard from Chester City Council members Roddey, and Strother, from Pastors Boyd and Hooker, and from State Representatives John King, and Annie McDaniels, among others. Additionally, we listened to several disturbing testimonials from workers at the plant. From parents being told they couldn’t take off to take their kids to the doctor, to threats of being fired for speaking about organizing.

(Below: we hear from community leaders, and listen to testimonials from workers at the “Giti” plant.)

After hearing many moving speeches, we began the march up the long driveway to the plant. Mr. Charles Brave, megaphone in hand, led us in call and response chants, such as “No Justice, no peace!”, and “What do we want? A union! When do we want it? Now!” all the way until we reached the gates.

(A spirited back and forth with the gate operator.)

(The Police telling us to vacate the premises.)

When we arrived, the gate operator wouldn’t let us through, and would not call the CEO of the plant, Mr. Phang Wai Yeen to take the letter from us. After some back and forth between the gate operator, and our delegation, the police were called to tell us to leave the property or be arrested. We abided by their dictation, and no arrests were made.

(Below: on the march out, and Mr. Charles Brave addressing the group afterwards.)

“Mark my words, this Giti plant will have a union. The fight is just beginning!” - AFL-CIO of SC President Mr. Charles Brave