Tag Archive for: ohio

The United Auto Workers today announced the union’s endorsement of Dr. Amy Acton for Governor of Ohio, citing her commitment to standing up to corporate greed and fighting for the working class.

“UAW CAP councils across Ohio are proud to endorse Dr. Amy Acton for Governor. Ohioans don’t need another corrupt politician backed by billionaires—we’ve seen too many leaders who are afraid to pick a side. Dr. Acton will shake up the status quo, put working-class people first, and stand with the UAW in our fight for a better life. Her campaign is rooted in issues that matter to our members: making life more affordable for working people and ensuring every Ohioan has access to quality healthcare. We’re ready to get to work to elect a pro-union governor. Now is our time, and Ohioans deserve better,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green.

The UAW represents tens of thousands of active and retired members across Ohio in the auto, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors. The union noted Dr. Acton’s union roots and her dedication to fighting for blue-collar communities too often left behind.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the United Auto Workers. This storied union has been one of the key institutions that built America’s and Ohio’s middle class. I’ve stood on the picket line with members of UAW and will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them to fight for good Ohio jobs—including fair wages, safe workplaces, and strong benefits,” stated Dr. Acton.

The UAW will mobilize thousands of members across the state ahead of the election to help deliver a victory for Ohio’s working class.

The UAW has officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate, and is committed to sending a working class fighter back to DC to represent the nearly 100,000 active and retired UAW members who live and vote in Ohio. Sherrod Brown has a proven track record battling corporate interests and taking on the broken status quo in Washington.

The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown, and will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.

“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.”

“Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined – that is a crisis. Sherrod Brown is one of the only politicians who understands this crisis and won’t cower to billionaires when faced with a tough fight,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The UAW is proud to endorse candidates like Sherrod who will stand with the working class against our common enemy: corporate greed.”

“Throughout my career, I’m proud to have stood with UAW members fighting for the dignity of work and ensuring that workers always have a seat at the table,” said Sherrod Brown. “Connie and I drive Jeeps assembled in Toledo by UAW workers, and earlier this year, I was proud to stand in solidarity with UAW members in Evendale as they fought for a fair contract. I’m honored to once again have the UAW’s support as we continue the fight for Ohio workers and push back against corporate greed and special interests.”

The following statement was issued by UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green.

Ohio’s Republican leadership is once again trying to rig the rules, pick their voters, and cling to power instead of doing the work Ohioans need. While families struggle with rising costs and communities fight for good jobs, affordable healthcare, and safe neighborhoods, politicians in Columbus are focused on one thing: protecting themselves and the wealthy special interests they serve.

They want to draw Ohio’s voting maps behind closed doors so they can choose their voters instead of the other way around. We’ve seen this before—five times the Ohio Supreme Court ruled these gerrymandered maps unconstitutional, and twice they struck down congressional maps. But instead of respecting the will of the people, politicians chose secrecy, power grabs, and broken promises.

Fair maps are not a partisan issue; they are a democracy issue. When political insiders manipulate district lines to keep themselves in office, working people lose. Enough is enough. Stop rigging the system for politicians and corporate donors and start delivering for Ohio’s workers, our communities, and our future.

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – UAW Local 1112 members voted overwhelmingly to ratify their historic contract at Ultium Cells, which builds battery cells for GM electric vehicles. The local contract, approved by 98% over the weekend, sets a new standard for the EV industry with strong wages and benefits and historic health and safety protections.  

The Ultium workers speak about the contract victory in a new video launched today by the UAW. The video can be accessed here, and the media is invited to use the footage.  

“It enables me to just go ahead and move forward in life rather than living from paycheck to paycheck,” said Ultium worker Donald Bevly. 

“This is setting a precedent that can be built on,” said Ultium worker Chris Wyatt. “This is a guideline that every other EV plant can follow through with.”  

When Ultium opened in 2021, the workers were nonunion, they made just $16.50 an hour, and the EV industry was in a race to the bottom. But the Ultium workers organized with the UAW in late 2022 and during the Stand Up Strike, they were brought under the GM national agreement.  

By October 2027, Ultium production workers will make $35 an hour, 112% more than before they joined the UAW. The contract includes:  

  • 30% raise over three years for production workers
  • Immediate $3,000 bonus
  • Four full-time union health and safety representatives in the plant as well as a full-time union industrial hygienist on site 

“The benefits are just the best benefits I’ve had in my life,” said Ultium worker Lori Lovitz. “Paid hospitalization, holiday pay. I’ve never had this many paid holidays. Job security.”  

Another Ultium plant is beginning operations in Spring Hill, Tenn., and battery plants that will employ tens of thousands of workers are being built across the country. The Ultium contract sets a powerful precedent for those facilities and the entire EV industry.   

For more details about the agreement, visit uaw.org/ultium