History of Local 372 Local 372 has a proud history of service to its membership, the community, and the cause of industrial unionism. The local was chartered November 16, 1951 to service employees of the Cycleweld and Amplex Plants in Trenton, Michigan. On October 29, 1952 at 4:00 p.m. Local 372 called to order its first membership meeting and elected its first officers in the small storefront building we called home in the early years. Trenton Engine came on board in 1953 triggering a period of growth that saw the membership rolls increase from a few hundred in the early 50's to almost 6000 in the late 60's. Marine engines were the first to be manufactured in the plant. Then came the 6-cylinder and the V-8 engines. In 1969 the membership and officers dedicated a new building located at 4571 Division Street, Trenton, Michigan. Unfortunately the prosperity of the 50's and 60's was about to end. In 1970 Chrysler shut down the Amplex. Fortunately most of these workers were absorbed at other Chrysler plants. Many of the workers displaced in the 70's as a result of poor car sales and new technology were not so lucky. If the 70's were frightening, the early 80's proved to be a nightmare for the brothers and sisters of Local 372. Our membership roll that had already dropped to 3,400 in the 70's now had dropped to 2,000. Chrysler had announced its intention to close the Chemical (formerly Cycleweld) plants and Trenton Engine was down to one engine line with nothing planned for the future. Our membership had in the past been extremely active in the struggle for a clean, safe, and fair work place. We now found it necessary to increase our involvement in quality, productivity, education, and substance abuse problems as well. One gratifying example of this is Trenton Engine's P.Q.I. (Product Quality Improvement) Program. In 1980 a push for quality by our brothers and sisters lead to the development of the P.Q.I. Program that is now used as a model for other plants. This cooperative effort was expanded on August 28, 1986 with the ratification of the M.O.A. (Modern Operating Agreement). This agreement signaled the beginning of a new era of union-management cooperation on issues of mutual interest. On April 30, 2006 the local's membership ratified a Memorandum of Understanding to drastically change work rules and allow us the opportunity to be part of the new Phoenix V-6 program. Ground was broken adjacent to the existing engine plant on May 23, 2007. This new plant will have a capacity of 440,000 engines per year and employ approximately 400 of our members. Local 372's progressive attitude toward joint union/management activity is not surprising. We have been in the vanguard of the struggle for workers rights for many years. We are happy to accept more control of our work life and the products of our labor. While there have been many changes in industrial unionism over the last fifty years, we recognize that our mission remains the same, to march in solidarity to ensure a better tomorrow. Let us be ever grateful for the union.