LANSING, Mich., Sept. 15, 2023 — Last night at midnight, the United Auto Workers (UAW) officially went on strike. With a lack of consensus on negotiations, this is the first time UAW workers have struck simultaneously at all Big Three automakers — about 300,000 Michigan workers are hourly workers connected to the auto industry. The union has been in contract negotiations with the automobile companies fighting for fair pay and better benefits. This strike comes on the heels of others this week, including striking workers at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Ascension Health. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) issued the following statement in support of the efforts by Michigan workers:
“Workers have made significant concessions over the past two decades, both in response to the 2008 recession and the pandemic. When companies net tens of billions in profit every year, they need to pay their workers what they’re owed. I strongly support the striking workers and hope that they receive the pay and benefits they have worked so hard to earn.”
House Democrats have a long history of firmly standing in support of hardworking Michigan families, and since gaining majority this year, the lawmakers have made historic strides to uplift the workers who keep Michigan running by repealing anti-worker “right-to-work” laws, re-establishing prevailing wage, restoring collective bargaining rights and helping to keep more money in Michiganders’ pockets.