Dear UAW 2322 members,

At our October 13, 2016 Local Membership meeting we resoundingly ratified a resolution in Solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. In the spirit of our local’s long history of standing for social, economic and environmental justice and as an implementation of this resolution, union leadership will be travelling to the Oceti Sakowin Camp to join the union camp with “Labor for Standing Rock” and deliver crucial winterization supplies.

Despite recent news that the Army will deny easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing under Mini Sose (Lake Oahe), the major corporations backing the project have openly denied that this decision will have any impact and pledged to move forward with the construction: As stated all along, ETP and SXL are fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.”

The Dakota Access Pipeline is a direct attack on the Standing Rock Sioux, native peoples who have endured centuries of colonization, genocide, land dispossession and broken treaties. Moreover, it would desecrate sacred land and jeopardize the water and planet for all peoples and future generations.  We affirm our view that the position of the AFL-CIO (along with unions who support the pipeline) is dangerous, reinforcing the illusion that the health and safety of our communities are at odds with our economic interests.They have chosen to stand with big business over the long-term interests of the global working class. However, UAW 2322, along with others in the labor movement are committed to justice and solidarity with working people and oppressed communities and we resolutely oppose this pipeline and demand that the AFL-CIO to reverse its decision.

In solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux and Indigenous water protectors from all over the continent, Labor for Palestine and Labor for Standing Rock, with the support of The Standing Rock Council, native and non-native labor activists formed union camp:  “We at Oceti Sakowin Camp welcome any and all support from our Union brothers and sisters,This camp stands to protect our sacred water and support a new energy paradigm, jobs and work in green energy fields. We welcome your support in any ways you feel appropriate, join us in paving a new road to a sustainable future for many future generations.”

Two representatives of UAW Local 2322 (President Jocelyn Silverlight and Financial Secretary and Representative/Organizer Anais Surkin) will be travelling to the camp bringing much-needed, requested supplies. You can donate any of the items below (or cash) during the local holiday party (12/9; 6:00pm-8:00pm; World War II Club, Northamptom) or by visiting the GEO office (201 Student Union at UMass) or the Local office (4 Open Square Way, Holyoke) before December 15th. Included below is a list of items that have been requested.

In solidarity,

Anais Surkin & Jocelyn Silverlight

• Emergency blankets
• Pepto-Bismol tablets or liquid– preferably little travel bottles of liquid
• Foot powder preferably a little travel bottles
• Sterilizing solution for forceps, etc.
• High quality, WOOL (not Cotton!) hats scarves, gloves, socks, especially in 2XL sizes!
• Baby wipes
• Nice smelling soap
• Big bottles of nice smelling shampoo and conditioner
• Playing cards
• Games
• Crochet tools & yarn (wool preferred)
• Books
• Pencils and note pads of paper
• Leather & needles
• Beads, beading needles, bone buttons, string
• Co2 detectors
• Hatchet & bastard file for sharpening tools
• Grommets/punch
• Dry erase boards
• goggles
• Iphone 5 charger cord
• USBC charger
• Clear plastic
• 4 GFI
• clothespins
• dual car charger
• Sammy’s rags for soaking up water
• Shure tape
• Personal heater