COVID-19 Update 4/9/2020

My Sisters and Brothers,

I’m pleased to report today that UAW Local 434 members have begun producing face shields that will be provided to healthcare workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic caring for patients. Local 434 in Moline, Illinois is the only Deere facility building the critically needed shields.

I want to say that we are so proud of our UAW brothers and sisters who are stepping up to help fight this terrible virus. I also want to recognize the hard work that went into putting the necessary health and safety provisions in place to keep our members safe as they produce this much needed equipment. The original run is expected to result in  25,000 shields with another 200,000 planned. In addition to health care workers, the shields will be provided to production workers to ensure they’re safe while producing the personal protection equipment.

So many of our brothers and sisters across this nation have stepped up to help fight this pandemic. I know I have said this before in my updates, but I don’t think it can be repeated too often: We sincerely appreciate everything you’re doing to help keep our communities safe. I’m pleased to say that we will have many more stories of our heroes on the front lines in the days to come.

In sad news today, we have learned that we have lost a Local 600 brother who worked at New Directions in Farmington Hills, Michigan. On behalf of myself and the International Executive Board, our prayers and support go out to his family and friends.

As always, please stay safe, support one another and continue to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines,https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV.

For more updates and questions that you may have about your worksite, visit https://uaw.org/coronavirus/.

In solidarity,

Rory L. Gamble