TOLEDO, Ohio — UAW Local 12 members held a rummage sale on Saturday as a way to give financial assistance to those in the strike, as well as others affected by it.
There was an array of items from hats, clothes art, home decor and baked goods.
"They are having a sale to be able to make a little money to help supplement what we are getting," said Maria Griswold. a Local 12 member.
Griswold said many people are struggling to survive off strike pay, including some of the UAW workers who've been saving and planning for this very situation.
However, the members said that with the current state of the economy and living expenses being what they are, living off strike pay can be a heavy burden for anyone.
"Everybody's circumstances are different," said Griswold. "A lot of people didn't feel like we were going to go on strike and once we did, it threw some people for a loop."
And the sale wasn't just for the strikers.
Eddie Murrell Jr. is the chairman for Mayco International and serves as a Local 12 executive board trustee, but right now, Murrell is laid off.
He said it's been a fight for unemployment benefits ever since.
"A lot of our people are unable to get through to unemployment," said Murrell. "It's gotten better but it's not like it should be. You're on the phone and you sit there for four to five hours and as soon as you get there, they hang up on you."
At the sale, he spent his time selling burgers. Murrell wants everyone to know that Local 12 is open every day to help anyone in need.
"So far, Local 12 has been working with the mayor and the senator and our congressmen, and they have been trying to get with unemployment to try to set up some type of means here in the Local 12 where you can come and learn tips and answers to get unemployment," said Murrell.
For now, Murrell said it's best to stay on the phone until you get the help you need, and Maria Griswold encourages members to stay up to date with local unions.
Going forward, there will be a rummage sale every month until the UAW strike is over.
Along with food and music, the sale also includes a raffle with 50% of the proceeds going to the winner and the other half going towards the Local 12 food pantry.
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