Harris tells UAW workers: ‘We stand for the dignity of work’ and vows to fight for it • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
WAYNE, Mich. – Dozens of members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union gathered in Wayne on Thursday to support Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
“As a lifelong supporter of union work, I am deeply honored that Tim and I have the support of the UAW,” Harris said during a 25-minute speech at UAW Local 900. “When you know what you stand for, you know what to fight for. We stand for the people. We stand for the dignity of work. We stand for justice. We stand for equality. And we will fight for all of that.”
The participants enthusiastically shouted to Harris: “We are behind you!”
Walz, a former teacher and union member, echoed Harris’ sentiments.
“Thank you for the privilege of walking the picket line with you last year, and thank you for allowing us to make our voices heard,” Walz told UAW members, referring to the “Stand Up Strike” against three Detroit automakers, Ford, Stellantis and GM. “Your work didn’t just benefit UAW workers – it benefitted all workers. So I couldn’t be prouder to stand on this stage and stand with the UAW.”
In November, Democrats will face former Republican President Donald Trump and his running mate, Republican Senator JD Vance (Ohio). Vance held a small campaign rally at the Shelby Township Police Department on Wednesday morning, where he sharply criticized Harris over the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
“We’re dealing with the consequences, even in places like Shelby Township,” Vance said. “The media would tell you it’s far from the southern border and its problems. And geographically, of course, it’s far from the southern border, but it’s not far from its problems.”
Harris and Walz are expected to be formally nominated by their political party at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month.
This was the second event Harris and Walz held in the Detroit metropolitan area this week. On Wednesday, more than 15,000 people gathered for a rally in a hangar at Detroit Metro Airport. A number of Democrats spoke at the rally, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids).
UAW President Shawn Fain spoke at both events. On Thursday, he praised the Harris-Walz team, saying, “Kamala Harris is one of us.”
“This election is about a choice of whether we go forward or backward,” Fain added. “This is a moment when you ask yourself which side you are on, and the choice couldn’t be clearer.”
Local 900 represents thousands of members at the Ford Assembly Plant in Michigan and was one of the three original Stand Up Strike unions that ended their strike in September 2023. These members spearheaded a strike that brought the Detroit Three to the bargaining table and resulted in them securing contracts for 150,000 autoworkers across the country.
“At the end of the day, we all know we rise and fall together,” said Dwayne Walker, president of Local 900. “And that’s why we need to be involved in this process. It’s now or never. We may never get this chance again. We need to stick together and be proactive.”
Laura Dickerson, director of UAW Region 1A, said Harris “understands that all UAW members want to earn an honest living, support their families and send their children to college.”
The UAW International Executive Board endorsed Harris last week, highlighting her “past with the UAW and the working class, her opposition to anti-worker free trade agreements and her fight against corporate greed,” according to a UAW press release.
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