From front right to left, Franklin Torrence, Allen Bradley, Robert Whiteside, and Glenna Swinford of UAW Local 3520 join General Baker, long-time Detroit activist and leader in the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement.

Franklin Torrence and four other members of UAW Local 3520 lost their jobs last April after leading a wildcat strike in the Cleveland, North Carolina, plant where they manufacture heavy trucks for Freightliner. Punished by the company for opposing a concessionary contract offer, the “Freightliner Five” were also shunned by the UAW international. They continue to fight for their jobs, union membership, and more rank-and-file power in the South.

Labor Notes subscriber since... April 2008

My favorite troublemaking moment was... When seven members of my Civil Rights Committee got elected to our 10-member executive board. Four of these committee members then won at-large seats on our bargaining team in 2006.

My least favorite contract concession is... that new employees aren't being covered with health care on day one of employment.

My worst boss's most annoying habit was... Making this statement: "Do it now and grieve it later."

I'm in the Troublemakers Union because... Five members of our strong bargaining team refused to bring a partial contract--with 22 articles and 86 health and safety issues still open--back to the members to ratify.

In 2008, I'd like a politician to... Revise these old labor laws that are on the books. Instead, we need to create punishments for companies who fire workers for their union affiliation. Close the loopholes that allow union leadership to go behind the back of local unions and cut sweetheart deals with the company.

I was proud when my union... When we won the card-check procedure in one day. We had two weeks to get 50 percent of the workforce to sign cards.