Great Lakes Wire

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the news that the United Auto Workers (UAW) has announced a strike against the Big Three auto manufacturers – General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford.

“I stand in solidarity with UAW workers as they strike to fight for a contract that gives them the wages, job security, and benefits they deserve. UAW members made huge sacrifices to help save the auto industry in 2008 and now that the Big Three are making historic profits, the workers deserve to get their fair share of the success. UAW workers are making the best cars in the world in Michigan and it’s critical they continue to be the future of the industry, especially as we transition to electric vehicles.”

In July, Peters sent a letter to the CEOs of the Big Three auto manufacturers urging them to negotiate in good faith as the talks began. In August, he met with UAW members in Lansing to show his support and hear their priorities. Peters also organized a multi-member meeting with UAW President Shawn Fain earlier this year.

Michigan is home to the most auto workers in the United States, and UAW represents around 70,000 auto workers in Michigan. In addition, the auto industry directly and indirectly employs 1.1 million workers in Michigan, or about 20 percent of the state’s workforce.

Original source can be found here.