Key Issues Covered in Resolution

As our country struggles to emerge from the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, workers should receive a fair share of the economy’s upside. The comprehensive bargaining program spelled out in the resolution ratified by delegates at the convention is the union’s answer to the growing inequality that is eroding our economy and corrupting our political system.

Key issues over the coming years include:

Sharing on the upside. With a tentative recovery underway, we want workers to share on the upside. We seek to end the disconnect between corporations and the rich, whose fortunes are rising, and working families and the unemployed, whose standard of living continues to fall.

Building power to win justice. We cannot win the justice our members deserve without organizing their competition. The National Labor Relations Act does not protect the rights of workers to freely decide whether or not to join the UAW. A free, democratic election cannot take place in a climate of fear. The UAW invites employers to endorse our Principles for Fair Union Elections. (To read the UAW Principles for Fair Union Elections, visit: uaw.org/articles/uaw-principles-fair-union-elections)

Building a global middle class. In the 20th century, by raising the standard of living of industrial workers, our union helped create the American middle class. In the 21st century, by working together with unions in other countries to raise the standard of living of workers in a globalized economy, we seek to create a global middle class.

Defeating attacks on public sector employees. The attack on the bargaining rights and living standards of public sector workers is an attack on all of us. We will strongly defend the right of public employees to exercise their union voice.

Advancing our social vision. Our bargaining program seeks a global economy that is more just, more sustainable and more inclusive.

Winning jobs to create real job security. We will further press employers for investment commitments to maintain and expand employment opportunities in our workplaces.

Winning justice for new hires, temporary and contingent workers. The growth of low-paid and insecure “precarious” work is a global problem. Our bargaining program places a special emphasis on raising standards and opportunities for those at the bottom.

Improving our standard of living. Many of our members have made significant financial sacrifices to keep their employers viable. As our employers’ fortunes rebound, so should our standard of living. To prevent the erosion of hard-won gains, we will focus on creating standards for specific industries and markets – and then working to raise them.

Providing health care and retirement security. We will defend health care reform, while also working to strengthen employer-sponsored coverage. The financial crisis and the resulting devastation to workers has left many retirements far less secure, we will work to increase the retirement security of our members.

Making our workplaces safer. A safe and healthy workplace is every worker’s right. Our union has made giant strides in the area of health and safety, but much more remains to be done.

We know that our progress on these issues ultimately depends on our power in our core industries. By organizing to build power, we can win the justice our members deserve.

To read the complete text of the approved resolution visit: uaw.org/articles/approved-resolutions-2011-special-convention-collective-bargaining-pdf