The streets of Southwest Detroit came alive Saturday as Teamsters Local 283 organized a massive community rally outside the Marathon refinery gates, marking their ninth week on strike. Over 200 refinery workers, including operators, technicians, and maintenance staff, have been on strike since September 4th following failed negotiations over pay and safety concerns.
The rally drew widespread support from fellow labor unions and political figures. United Auto Workers, Steelworkers, Teachers, Firefighters, Nurses, and Electrical Workers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the striking Teamsters. Notable attendees included Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Secretary of State Joselyn Benson, and Detroit City Council member Gabriela Santiago-Romero.
"Corporate greed is out of hand in our country," declared Steve Hicks, president of Local 283. "They're making billions of dollars and don't want to share with their employees." The union maintains that Marathon has not been negotiating in good faith, leading to mounting frustration among workers.
Safety concerns took center stage at the rally. Council representative Santiago-Romero highlighted the refinery's location in a residential neighborhood, noting the 25-mile blast radius and questioning current safety protocols without the experienced Teamsters on site.
The strike has also brought attention to local hiring practices. Ron Barnes, a refinery worker with 21 years of experience, pointed out unfulfilled promises to hire Detroit residents, particularly from the surrounding District 6 community.
UAW President Shawn Fain drew parallels between the Teamsters' struggle and broader labor movements: "This is a fight for the entire working class. This is our generation's defining moment. What we do in these times will define what's going to happen for generations to come."
While bargaining talks have resumed between the Teamsters and Marathon, workers remain firm in their resolve. As Local 283 member Jeff Tricoff stated, "We won't break. We know what we're worth. We're not settling for scraps."
The rally demonstrated the growing unity among labor organizations and community leaders in Detroit, as workers continue their stand against what they view as corporate exploitation and unfair labor practices.