Democrats

UAW Goes On Attack Against Bush Policies

June 14, 2006 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

The UAW has sat and watched as legislation after legislation was passed that decimated their workforce. Jobs have been outsourced at such an astronomical rate that for a time the UAW was stunned with a feeling of helplessness. However, they have regained their breadth and gotten back up on their two feet. You may not be a UAW member but the message they are now sending from their Las Vegas meeting should be supported by all Americans.

The manufacturing area has been decimated by concessions and outsourcing, many in the UAW are upset with their union leadership. However, the UAW leadership has now changed their stance in regards to their working relationship with the big three as well as how they will support future political candidates. Numerous United Auto Workers members at the union’s 34th convention made a commitment to the statement that this years national elections will have a far greater effect on them than anything they will lose at the bargaining table and they have vowed to become more politically active as a way to preserve the integrity and stability of American jobs.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger spoke to over 1,300 delegates in Las Vegas on Monday and stated that, “ it’s time for a different relationship with the domestic automakers because they are facing difficult times…Like it or not, these challenges aren’t the kind that can be ridden out…They demand new and farsighted solutions and we must be an integral part of developing these solutions.” This statement was greatly appreciated by the union members as well as representatives from the automotive industry.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger also spoke out in regards to his feelings about the President and the Bush Administration for what he declared as failed trade policies and anti-union stances. The UAW President feels that the Bush policies have hurt domestic American workers as well as the American auto industry.

Gettelfinger pointed out that President Bush’s trade policies have included support of a free trade proposal with Thailand. Gettelfinger feels it is unfair to deal with countries that allow child labor, 12-hour workdays and jailing of union organizers; he believes these amount to unfair trade practices and advantages over the United States.

Conversely, the Republicans feel differently. Ann Marie Hauser, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, blamed the auto industry’s woes on Democratic Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. She stated, “No amount of finger pointing by Democrat front groups will create a single job or distract voters from the fact that Governor Granholm’s economic policies have failed Michigan,” she said. “While more than 5.3 million jobs have been created nationwide since September 2003, Michigan continues to move backward and lose jobs as Democrats play attack politics.”

Where do we go from here, who do we trust? Lets hope the UAW puts its money where its mouth is and they back politicians who actually do real work for the American workers and not the fat cat outsourcing conglomerates who are destroying the American economy from the inside out.

UAW Goes On Attack Against Bush Policies

Related Posts