United Auto Workers Local 879 raised $11,000 on June 2 to assist members of Teamsters Local 120 who are fighting prolonged battles against two companies.

The workers include more than 60 carhaulers in Cottage Grove, who were thrown out of work when General Motors switched to a nonunion trucking company. In addition, proceeds will help workers who have been on strike for more than a year and a half against Overnite Transportation in Blaine.

Bob Killeen Jr., who helped spearhead the fundraiser for Local 879, said more than 300 people attended. The event received donations from more than three dozen unions and businesses, he said. Guest speakers included Bernard Brommer and Ray Waldron from the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and Congressional representatives Betty McCollum and Bill Luther.

Louie Miller, recording secretary for Local 120, said the fundraiser 'was a fantastic show of solidarity by the UAW.'

'A lot of times, different unions go off in their own directions,' he said. 'It was refreshing to see a different union supporting another union. They understand that what corporate America is doing to us affects them and affects everyone here.'

Miller said Local 120 would use the donations for its strike fund, to help individual members, or for legal fees.

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