MichiganRadio

Demonstrators Call for Help for People, Not Business DETROIT (Michigan Radio) - Dozens of people demonstrated for jobs and decent wages outside a meeting of corporate executives in Detroit today.

Many of them came to protest the appearance of American Axle CEO Dick Dauch. UAW workers struck the parts supplier last year, and the company is expected to dramatically downsize its Detroit plant, and move some production to Mexico.

Paul Wohlfarth retired from the Toledo Jeep plant last year. He says the loss of manufacturing jobs is devastating communities.

"In Toledo we have the mayor, he's mowing the grass now," said Wohlfarth. "We've had these factory layoffs, they have no tax revenues coming in, we've got Carty Finkbeiner out there pushing a lawnmower around trying to cut costs. Now does this sound like this is working for America? I don't think so."

Demonstrators are also calling for a moratorium on foreclosures, and an end to utility shut-offs for poor customers.

Contact Sarah Hulett at sarahhu@umich.edu © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio