Tag Archive for: Michigan

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To Commemorate “White Shirt Day,” UAW Challenges Michigan Lawmakers to Commit to a Working-Class Agenda, Reject Corporate Influence

FLINT – Today, the UAW is challenging Michigan state politicians to join union members in the annual commemoration of “White Shirt Day.” This annual tradition honors the legacy and courage of the auto workers who organized the 1937 Flint Sit-Down Strike – whose victory reshaped the future of the working class. 

In a letter distributed to lawmakers in Lansing, the UAW encouraged their participation in White Shirt Day’s time-honored practice of wearing a white shirt on February 11. The white shirts send a message that the workers who build the cars deserve the same respect and dignity as those in corporate offices. 

A PDF of the letter can be accessed and downloaded here: 

DOWNLOAD LETTER

The UAW is taking participation in White Shirt Day as more than a symbolic gesture. By wearing a white shirt on February 11, lawmakers aren’t just making a statement – they’re committing to action on priorities laid out in the notice, including to:  

  • Guarantee strong wages and labor protections for every worker to earn a fair living. 
  • Strengthen healthcare affordability, access to critical and preventative medical care. 
  • Enhance retirement security to give workers comfort of one day retiring with dignity. 
  • Promote a healthier work-life balance so workers have time to tend to their real lives. 
  • Hold corporations accountable when they take tax breaks but leave workers behind. 
  • Combat divide-and-conquer tactics seeking to pit communities against one another. 

“For 44 days, General Motors workers endured the full-throated force of corporate greed,” the letter reads. “They faced constant threats to their lives and families and even real violence. But these autoworkers had no choice but to endure – their entire livelihoods were at stake. 

“The GM workers recognized 88 years ago that their strongest tool to leverage against even the most formidable of forces was solidarity. With a united rank-and-file, workers held the line – until they won.” 

The letter ends with a direct call-to-action from the UAW to Michigan legislators: “Michigan’s over 350,000 active and retired UAW members are ready to fight alongside elected officials who fight for the working class. Now is the time to show them whose side you’re on.” 

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UAW Calls Out Missed Opportunities in Lansing Lame Duck, Applauds Key Working-Class Wins

LANSING — Today, the UAW applauds key legislative victories passed this lame duck session in Lansing affecting thousands of working-class Michiganders. The UAW called upon legislators to fight for working class people, and they delivered key wins on wages, healthcare and retirement security, including:

  • 70% increase in unemployment for laid off workers from $362/week to $614/week and extending unemployment insurance from 20 weeks to 26 weeks.
  • Legislation to make healthcare more affordable and restore public sector workers’ rights to negotiate healthcare costs, including over 15,000 UAW members in the public sector.
  • Legislation reinstating pensions for some state workers for the first time in decades, an important step in winning back a benefit that all workers deserve.

These bills will change the lives of many working class people in Michigan. However, legislators left many priorities for working people on the table when some chose not to show up, not to lead, or not to fight.

“UAW members demanded that Lansing lawmakers pick a side: the working-class or the corporate class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The Senate heard us and led a marathon session to see through important laws to boost the lives of thousands of working-class people.”

“But too much was left on the table thanks to the loyalty of some politicians to the looming corporate influences in Lansing. Our elected officials should remember that the mighty membership of the UAW does not shy away from letting those in power know when they aren’t doing their jobs well and are prepared to make their voices heard in the Capitol and the ballot box.”

The UAW now looks to Governor Gretchen Whitmer as the last step to signing into law pieces of an agenda centered on working-class Michiganders.

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UAW Applauds Passage of Unemployment Insurance Reform as Michigan Legislature Takes First Step to Deliver on Working-Class Priorities

LANSING, MI — Yesterday, Michigan workers and the UAW celebrated a landmark victory as the state legislature approved a significant reform to the unemployment insurance system. Under the new legislation, weekly benefits will increase by 70%, rising from $362 to $614. This long-overdue change provides essential relief for workers and brings Michigan closer to aligning with the rest of the Great Lakes region.

“For too long, corporations and the wealthy have rigged the rules in their favor, leaving the working class behind,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This reform is a positive shift toward leveling the playing field and ensuring that all workers have the support they need to navigate tough times. UAW members demanded action, and Michigan lawmakers stepped up and showed us whose side they’re on.”

Michigan’s unemployment system has been one of the most restrictive in the nation, leaving too many workers behind during times of economic hardship. Yesterday’s reform begins to address these inequities, but much more needs to be done to ensure all workers are treated fairly and with dignity.

This victory comes in the final days of Michigan’s Democratic trifecta, after intense advocacy from the UAW and labor allies who called on legislators to choose between standing with the working class or doing the bidding of corporations and big donors.

On December 4, the UAW laid out its policy positions for the session and urged legislators to pass bills taking action on living wages, health care, retirement with dignity, time with our families, fighting against corporate greed and corporate influence over our politics, and standing united against divide and conquer politics.

Following the passage of the unemployment insurance legislation, the UAW pushed lawmakers to keep the momentum going and pass additional measures that protect workers’ rights and strengthen communities across the state.

“Make no mistake—Michigan legislators still need to show up for the entire working class. There are still critical issues to address in this lame duck session, including workers’ compensation reform and restoring local control over labor standards. The UAW is watching the clock and will continue to hold our leaders accountable,” said Fain.

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UAW Calls on Michigan Legislature to Deliver for Working Class People in Lame Duck Session

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers issued the following statement today calling on the Michigan legislature to deliver for working class people in the upcoming lame duck session.

The UAW is the state’s largest union, with over 300,000 active and retired members in Michigan.

For too long, corporations and the rich have taken more of the wealth we’ve created for themselves. They’ve rigged the rules of our politics and pitted working-class people against one another by telling us there isn’t enough for everyone. That must end.

In the final days of the Democratic trifecta, we are calling on the legislature to show up and fight for working class people.

Michigan’s lawmakers can fight for the working class or do the bidding of corporations and big donors, but they can’t do both. It’s time to pick a side.

We must go on offense for living wages, health care, retirement with dignity, and time with our families. We must defend against corporate greed and divide and conquer politics.

In the lame duck session, we are expecting action from our legislators, and we will be watching closely. Who stands with the working class on our core issues, and who stands with corporate interests?

In the coming days, the UAW will be demanding action on important legislation that makes life better for working people and our families and that protects our rights and communities from harm.

We need our leaders to fight for the working class all over this country, but it starts here in Michigan, the birthplace of the UAW.

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