Solidarity Works as Big 3, UAW Reach Tentative Agreements
Over the course of the month-long strikes of United Auto Worker (UAW) members at Stellantis (Jeep), Ford and GM, known as the Big 3, Ohio AFL-CIO affiliate unions and Central Labor Councils showed unwavering solidarity to support our Sisters and Brothers.
While much of the attention was spent with the Jeep plant in Toledo which employs over 5,000 members, two distibution centers also were on strike, one in West Chester and one in Streetsboro.
"While this was a UAW strike, this was also a strike for all working people," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga who joined AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFT President Randi Weingarten, AFSCME President Lee Saunders and a busload of 50 union Mineworkers from Eastern Ohio and West Virginia on several visits to the picket line. "The vote to ratify the contracts is now in the hands of the members, and the Ohio AFL-CIO stands committed to supporting our Sisters and Brothers for as long as it takes."
The Dayton-Miami Valley AFL-CIO helped spearhead a rally in West Chester along with the Cincinnati AFL-CIO as Teamsters from Kentucky cooked hamburgers and hot dogs. Over 100 union members and allies showed their support at the rally.
In Streetsboro, several unions joined Congresswoman Emilia Sykes and U.S. Senator John Fetterman on different visits as well as providing much-neeeded firewood, food and drinks.
Others who showed unwavering support for the workers were Senator Sherrod Brown who was in Streetsboro the day they went on strike, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur who visited the line and brought supplies frequently in Toledo as well as House Minority Leader Allison Russo who ensured the Democratic Caucus was at the lines lending their support.