Autoworkers Under the Gun - by Gregg Shotwell (Paperback)

About the Book

In an industry under constant attack, a veteran autoworker offers his take on the collapse of the American Dream.

Book Synopsis

Workers' rights are not defined by law or contract. Workers' rights are defined by struggle.

Gregg Shotwell's Live Bait & Ammo newsletter chronicled the outrages and absurdities of corporate managers, exposed union leaders who acted in partnership" with employers, and sounded the alarm about the devastating effects of auto industry job losses and union concessions. LB&A fliers grew legs of their own, distributed by rank-and-file workers in auto plants across the United States and cited by industry analysts. This collection spans a decade of autoworker resistance and it's a call to action for a new generation of workers coming of age in recession-wracked America.

Review Quotes

"No one has cut through the hypocrisy of what capitalism has done to American workers with more passion, wit, and insight than Gregg Shotwell."
--Sam Gindin, former research director, Canadian Auto Workers

"We factory folks are so very lucky to have our own poet laureate and writer preeminent--Gregg Shotwell."
--Elly Leary, labor educator and former autoworker, chief negotiator, and union officer

"Like a barking junkyard dog, Shotwell is there to defend the workers that the corporations and the unions have forgotten."
--Justin Z. West, past president and bargaining chairman, UAW Local 2488, autoworker at Volvo Cars, Gothenburg, Sweden

"He speaks for a large unappreciated reservoir of intelligence, insight, and guts in the working ranks. Almost invisible, watching the situation closely, preparing for our day."
--Larry Christensen, chassis assembler, UAW, retired

"I read your e-mails pretty regular. I know you very well. . . .You're done, brother. Shut off the mic."
--Stephen P. Yokich, UAW president, 1994-2002


No one has cut through the hypocrisy of what capitalism has done to American workers with more passion, wit, and insight than Gregg Shotwell."
Sam Gindin, former research director, Canadian Auto Workers

We factory folks are so very lucky to have our own poet laureate and writer preeminent Gregg Shotwell."
Elly Leary, labor educator and former autoworker, chief negotiator, and union officer

Like a barking junkyard dog, Shotwell is there to defend the workers that the corporations and the unions have forgotten."
Justin Z. West, past president and bargaining chairman, UAW Local 2488, autoworker at Volvo Cars, Gothenburg, Sweden

He speaks for a large unappreciated reservoir of intelligence, insight, and guts in the working ranks. Almost invisible, watching the situation closely, preparing for our day."
Larry Christensen, chassis assembler, UAW, retired

I read your e-mails pretty regular. I know you very well. . . .You're done, brother. Shut off the mic."
Stephen P. Yokich, UAW president, 1994 2002

About the Author

Gregg Shotwell, a machine operator turned rebel writer, worked 30 years at General Motors. His shopfloor fliers grew legs of their own. Workers all over the country and abroad downloaded Live Bait & Ammo and commandeered company copiers to spread what Gregg calls, the vigor of truth and the ruth of rebellion." His growing notoriety led reporters in his hometown to question: Is Toyota scared of this man?" UAW bureaucrats pretend he doesn't exist, but auto industry analysts and reporters cite his work, and online labor media like Socialist Worker, Labor Notes, and the Monthly Review post his articles, poems, and satires with unreserved enthusiasm.