Thursday, November 06, 2008
Workers win big, expect change
The hard work of UAW members and other union members was rewarded when Barack Obama and other pro-working family candidates were swept into office.
":Many months of hard work, dedication and the simple belief among UAW members that workers can help bring about the change this country needs paid off last night," UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said.
"Our efforts to educate ourselves, our family, friends and neighbors led to a historic victory for the highest office in the land, and other important victories in Congress and at the state and local levels," Gettelfinger added.
Our efforts mattered and President-elect Obama recognized it. At his final campaign appearance before heading to Chicago to await results, he stopped at a phone bank that was calling on UAW Local 550 active and retired members in Indianapolis.
"The visit was just totally unexpected and such an amazing experience," Local 550 member Ray Staggs said. "We got a chance to talk with the senator and take pictures. I was kind of a nervous wreck when I heard he might stop by, but he's really so down to earth he just fit right in like one of the guys."
One major challenge President-elect Obama and the new Congress will face is providing affordable health care. UAW Local 245 President Keith Brown was interviewed by ABC News before the election, and he described how senior citizens are making painful choices because of the ravaged economy in Michigan.
"Those are the people who have given us what we have today, and there's some of them out there now who are making the decision between getting a month's supply of prescriptions or using that money to buy groceries at the grocery store," Brown, a Ford Motor Co. worker in Dearborn, Mich., said.
Another important issue for working families will be on the Employee Free Choice Act, which is expected to be reintroduced in Congress next year. After it passed the House, Republicans were able to block movement on the bill in the Senate. But with the gain of at least five seats in Tuesday's election, it could make its way to President-elect Obama, who has said he will sign the bill.
The bill will protect workers' freedom to choose a union and bargain, without management intimidation. Allowing more workers to freely join unions and bargain with their employers will help rebuild the middle class by expanding health care, improving retirement security and raising the standard of living for America's working families.
"UAW activists helped make this victory possible and I join with the entire International Executive Board in thanking active and retired members for their efforts," President Gettelfinger said. "But our work isn't over; it is just beginning. Our domestic auto industry is struggling as is the entire manufacturing sector. All Americans now need to come together and work together to solve our common problems and build a better nation."
This portion of this Web site is paid for by the UAW V-CAP (Voluntary Community Action Program), 8000 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48214, with voluntary contributions from union members and their families, and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.