As Michigan Congressman John Dingell received the UAW’s Social Justice Award on the first day of the union’s 35th Constitutional Convention in Detroit, he had an unusual farewell for outgoing UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.

The legendary Democratic representative protested the retirements of the two-term UAW president and the union’s legislative director, Alan Reuther.

Congressman John Dingell, D-Mich., receives the UAW Social Justice Award. Photo by Rebecca Cook.

“I want to take a brief moment … to issue a protest,” said Dingell before about 1,200 delegates from throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico gathered at Cobo Hall. “I protest the retirement of two great Americans from this union – your President Ron Gettlefinger and your Legislative Director Alan Reuther. These two men are giants in labor and have served the UAW and this nation admirably. They will be sorely missed.”

Dingell, dean of the U.S. House, gave a nod in his remarks to the hard-won success of health care reform legislation, an initiative Dingell and his father before him in Congress fought for with Walter Reuther since the 1950s.

“My sincerest thank you to everyone gathered here today for honoring me with the UAW Social Justice Award. This award is a happy compliment to the work that myself and everyone here did to bring the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act before President Obama for his signature.”

Dingell also looked to labor’s political horizon – a landscape that includes efforts to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to organize in the workplace.

“I believe strongly that collective bargaining has been essential to improving the quality of life for America’s workers by ensuring they have access to quality benefits, a livable wage, a safe workplace and pensions they can retire on,” he said.

“Years ago my dear Daddy was fired for union activities.  This is why I have been a strong supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act.  This legislation will help workers everywhere gain a stronger voice,” added Dingell, who thanked UAW members for their support over the years. “If more workers are in unions, we’ll collectively have more muscle to raise living standards, improve wages and halt outsourcing.”

Joan Silvi