Tag Archive for: statement

For 40 years, we’ve seen the devastating effects of so-called “free trade” on the working class. Corporations have been driving a non-stop race to the bottom by killing good blue-collar jobs in America to go exploit some poor worker in another country by paying poverty wages. Tariffs are a powerful tool in the toolbox for undoing the injustice of anti-worker trade deals. We are glad to see an American president take aggressive action on ending the free trade disaster that has dropped like a bomb on the working class.

There’s been a lot of talk of these tariffs “disrupting” the economy. But if corporate America chooses to price-gouge the American consumer or attack the American worker because they don’t want to pay their fair share, corporate America bears the blame for that decision. The working class suffered all the pain of NAFTA, and we won’t suffer all the pain of undoing NAFTA. We want to see corporate America, from the auto industry and beyond, recommit to the working class that makes the products and generates the profits that keep this country running.

The UAW is in active negotiations with the Trump Administration about their plans to end the free trade disaster. We look forward to working with the White House to shape the auto tariffs in April to benefit the working class. We want to see serious action that will incentivize companies to change their behavior, reinvest in America, and stop cheating the American worker, the American consumer, and the American taxpayer.

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.