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At the Special Bargaining Convention, International Vice President Chuck Browning gave a stirring report on the 2021 John Deere strike and contract negotiations that inspired the labor movement.
The first-ever directly-elected International Executive Board was introduced as they took their places on the stage for Convention proceedings.
Newly-elected President Shawn Fain gave a rousing speech to the hundreds of delegates in attendance, where he outlined a vision for the union moving forward. “We’re here to come together to ready ourselves for the war against our one and only true enemy: multibillion dollar corporations and employers that refuse to give our members their fair share.”
Guest speakers for the day included Michigan Senator Gary Peters, Senator Debbie Stabenow (by video), and Unifor President Lana Payne. Payne spoke about a shared vision with President Fain and the UAW, stating that the two unions will “do great things together” and that she looked forward to “taking on global corporations.”
One of the core issues of debate on Monday was the subject of cost of living adjustments (COLA), with delegates discussing how to approach bargaining strategy for COLA. A number of delegates spoke in favor of including more comprehensive language in the proposed resolution. Other delegates felt that if the language was too specific, it could hamper UAW negotiators at the bargaining table.
As President Fain noted to the delegates, reflecting on the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King: “As Dr. King took stock of the civil rights movement, he noted: ‘Every revolutionary movement has its peaks of united activity and its valleys of debate.’ So brothers and sisters, let us debate the future of our union. Let that debate be spirited and forceful. And let us emerge from this valley of debate to our highest peak yet. And then let us move forward together.”
Day two of the Special Bargaining Convention will convene at 9 a.m.
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At noon today, UAW President Shawn Fain was sworn into office, completing our union’s first-ever direct election of top leadership. The new International Executive Board convened immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, and is ready to get to work for the UAW membership.
A little over ten years ago, “Right to Work” was signed into law in Michigan, even as thousands of union members protested at the Capitol.
This week, however, is the beginning of a new era for Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed the bills to repeal “Right to Work.”
After a decade of “Right to Work” laws in Michigan that suppressed income and eroded job quality, the passage of House Bills 4004 and 4005 and Senate Bills 5 and 34 get Michigan one step closer to restoring workers’ rights. For too long we have seen anti-union legislation being introduced and passed in our State Legislature. That time has finally come to an end.
This is a very proud week for labor, the UAW, and our entire membership
I want to express my deep gratitude to all UAW leaders and active and retired members for your many years of support and solidarity. It has been the honor of my life to serve our great union.
Tomorrow, Shawn Fain will be sworn in as UAW president, and he will chair our 2023 Special Bargaining Convention. I am committed to ensuring that this transition is smooth and without disruptions. I wish him, the entire UAW International Executive Board, staff and clerical support as well as UAW’s membership great success for the future.
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