Brunswick Beacon, 10.05.23
President Joe Biden recently made history by joining United Auto Workers (UAW) union members on the picket line at a GM parts facility in Michigan. Invited by UAW President Shawn Fain, President Biden urged striking workers to continue fighting for their demands, noting that their 2008 sacrifices enabled American automobile makers to survive and their CEOs to thrive, while worker pay and benefits stagnated.
Donald Trump, who has always sided with the billionaire class and big business visited a non-union facility, addressing a meager crowd. Mr. Fain had rightly said that there was “no point” in meeting with Mr. Trump. Trump’s appointees to the National Labor Relations Board slashed union rights and made it easier for employers to expel existing unions.
UAW demands for pay increases factor in the astronomical compensation of automobile company CEOs. A GM worker would have to work 362 years to earn their CEO’s annual compensation; a Ford worker, 281 years. It’s that simple, and that’s simply insane.
Mr. Trump has worked hard to avoid employing union labor for his construction projects. Litigation continues on the countless projects where he violated labor laws and contracts, stiffed contractors and suppliers, and hired undocumented foreign laborers. His Trump-branded products are mostly made in China.
Nevertheless, Mr. Trump promises union workers that he “always has their back.” He also spent years promising his nebulous “Infrastructure Week.” Meanwhile, President Biden enacted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, creating good-paying union jobs to repair America’s roads, bridges, electrical grid, airports, ports, and the expansion of broadband, light rail, public transit, and much more.
As President Biden said, “The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class.” Our union workers can rebuild and fortify our nation’s infrastructure while enabling millions of families to attain the American dream.
I’ve seen first-hand how beneficial unions can be. As an RN, I was a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, and firmly believe our workers deserve our support. That’s a win-win for everyone.
Linda McConnell Baker, RN, CHPN (Retired)
Former UCFW member
Leland, NC