Roger Anclam UAW 95 & 2209 Region 4 Rep. Retired Part 2 My Labor Radio 5 31 26

Roger Anclam, a retired UAW Local 95 and 2209 Region 4 representative, delivers a raw, emotionally charged reflection on his four-decade labor career, revealing how collective bargaining isn't just about wages—it's a life-sustaining safety net. He recounts the tragic suicide of a union member during a forced relocation, a moment that galvanized the union to improve support systems. His story exposes the human cost of corporate decisions, the psychological toll of displacement, and the deep loyalty forged through shared struggle. Anclam argues that the collective bargaining agreement is the foundation of dignity, security, and family stability—controlling everything from healthcare and pensions to bereavement leave and vacation time. He warns that this entire system is vulnerable to political erosion, especially under leaders who undermine Social Security and Medicare. Yet he remains defiant: the solution isn't passivity, but active participation. 'You can't fight city hall from the outside,' he insists. 'Get on the inside.' His final lesson? Leadership isn't about power—it's about showing up, walking the floor, and turning outrage into action. Anclam’s journey—from a young opposition candidate ridiculed as 'little boy' to a respected president who once stood up to plant managers with a hammer—illustrates the transformative power of unionism.