Political Quotes

“This weekend I proudly joined United Auto Workers on the picket line at United Auto Workers Local 12 in Toledo, Ohio, striking Jeep Stellantis in solidarity. Our mother helped organize the United Auto Workers nearly 90 years ago at Champion Spark Plug, organizing and negotiating with United Auto Workers founders Victor and Walter Reuther. Our father, Stephen, who they called Kappy, retired in 1969 from Jeep. Both were able to get better wages and benefits to help our family as we were growing up. I am including in the Record our mother's brief summary of why she joined the union and worked so hard; primarily to assure seniority rights of employment so you couldn't be fired because the supervisor brought family members to replace you. A bidding system was established so any open job was put up on the board so the one with the most seniority got the job, if qualified. Discrimination was outlawed so the foreman could no longer put his pets or relatives on the best job. The right to ask for a pay raise was assured through negotiation and the right to strike granted to employees. Leaves for illness were granted so people wouldn't be fired if a doctor certification was provided. I will continue tomorrow and enter the additional three sentences orally, but I just want to say go, UAW. We are so proud of you.…”