Caravan Protest Black Workers’ Lives Matter Flex N Gate Detroit

For Immediate Release                                                                               

Contact: Frank Hammer, 313-680-3202

August 3, 2020                                                                                                                  

Caravan Protest Black Workers’ Lives Matter Flex N Gate Detroit

2 –3 PM—THURS—AUGUST 6

Supporters of Black Workers’ Lives Matter will be staging a car caravan protest at the Flex-N-Gate auto parts plant in Detroit in support of workers there who are complaining of oppressive plantation-like conditions and unjust firings. They will gather Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 2-3 pm at 9047 St Cyril St on Detroit’s east side.

Flex N Gate Detroit, a parts supplier for Ford, was built off the backs of Black community members on Detroit’s east side.  Many lost their property on a promise that this corporation would create quality, family supporting jobs for Detroit residents. Detroiters went through extensive training and testing for direct hire into permanent positions.   Two years later, these same trained, skilled workers are being harassed and fired based on trumped up charges and subjected to a racially hostile work environment.

Flex N Gate Detroit’s predominantly Black work force of about 700 is now down to around 150. The original workers are being replaced with temporary workers with no training for the jobs, many of them immigrants subject to super-exploitation because of their status. Employees are subjected to extreme, oppressive conditions. They are being disciplined for absences while under management mandated Covid 19 quarantine, and for taking sick days or vacation time when ill.  They are treated disrespectfully, having to sign in and out to use the bathroom, and threatened with discipline “if you take too long.”

The FLEX N GATE owner is a BILLIONAIRE and continues to increase his profits by treating loyal employees like dirt and replacing them with lower paid, temporary workers who receive no benefits. Black workers are entitled to fair wages and benefits, job security, and dignity on the job.

Endorsing organizations include: Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD), Autoworker Caravan, and Moratorium Now!