Now an International event, Earth Day has been celebrated since April 22, 1970 and its origins are here in the United States. In fact, this annual celebration wouldn’t exist without legendary UAW leader Walter Reuther. In 1970, environmental protection was gaining momentum as an urgent national issue. Nationwide environmental teach-ins were held in the spring and, with the help of activist Denis Hayes, who coined the name “Earth Day,” more than 20 million people marched in support of protecting the earth from environmental destruction. UAW President Walter Reuther took notice and pledged the UAW’s financial and membership support for the ...
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This Earth Day weekend, members of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, including members of UAW Local 42, came together to rebuild a boat ramp on Chickamauga Lake outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The union members partnered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to rebuild the boat ramp, making it safer and accessible to individuals with disabilities. “Unions are always looking for ways to get involved and improve their communities,” said UAW Local 42 President Steve Cochran. “The Wolftever Creek boat ramp was one of the most heavily used access points to the lake, but it was really unsafe and unusable in the ...
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