In 2006, the main gas line in Elaine Fisher’s Milford home caused an explosion that “blew up” the dwelling – while she was inside of it. As a result, her husband, Roy, retired from his job at Chrysler’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant after 32 years of working on assembly lines so he could care for her.
Then six months later, Roy found out he had prostate cancer. And Elaine was already dealing with the effects of fibromyalgia, a muscular condition that peppers her body with pain. Several long-term health problems meant their health insurance was even more of a necessity than ever.
The couple is back living in their home, but now they have a new worry on their minds. Because Roy retired and didn’t take one of the buyouts offered by Chrysler, he’s counting on the pension and benefits he worked so hard to keep. However, it looks like cuts are looming.
“They said they’re going to take (away) our dental and our optical insurance,” Elaine said.
With Chrysler’s recent bankruptcy and merger deal with Fiat, the couple worry that their health care benefits are going to be swept away so the automaker can flip itself right-side up and become viable again.
“Now we’re scared to death,” Elaine said. “We need our medical insurance.”
The Fishers were two of several dozens of automotive and steel workers who joined local and federal officials at the “Keep it Made in America” bus tour rally May 11 at Dodge Park in Sterling Heights. The public rally, sponsored by the Alliance for American Manufacturing, United Steelworkers, and the Mayors and Municipalities Coalition, expressed support for keeping domestic manufacturing jobs in the United States.
Sterling Heights resident Chris Ramotowski has worked at the SHAP for nine years and he said he is worried about his job security.
“This isn’t a safe seniority,” Ramotowski said. “Everyone’s in trouble.”
Ramotowski is not working at the moment since the plant shut down for a month or two while Chrysler’s bankruptcy-required restructuring takes place. He could be permanently displaced next year since the plant is scheduled to close in December 2010.
John Roberts of Macomb Township is in the same predicament as Ramotowski; he is employed at the SHAP, but not working there at the moment. Roberts waved an American flag during the rally, hoping to stress the importance of keeping American jobs in America.
“Eight Chrysler plants are scheduled to close in America – but none in Mexico or Canada,” Roberts said. “But it’s our tax dollar.”
During the rally, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero fired up the crowd when he talked about what the government is – or isn’t – doing to help the troubled American automakers and the families affected by the entire economical situation.
“It’s bailouts and bonuses for Wall Street,” Bernero said. “And it’s bull(expletive) for working families.”
Sterling Heights Councilwoman Maria Schmidt told rally attendees that the troubles facing the Big Three automakers have far-reaching effects.
“We’re devastated as a community, as a state and as a country,” Schmidt said.
Despite the announced closure of the Chrysler SHAP, Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool maintains the city is doing everything possible to minimize the impact locally. He said Sterling Heights has a large manufacturing base and the Chrysler factory that may close next year is part of that.
“I say Œmay’ because we’re going to do all that we can to save that facility,” Vanderpool said. “There will be a Fiat product of some sort in SHAP.”
