Label
Council Members Gadus, Cherry, Komives, McPherson, Moline, Williams, Sarantou, Hobbs, Morris, Hartman, Whitman and Melden
Title
Supporting the workers of UAW as they strike against the “Big Three Automakers” in the contract negotiations of 2023; and declaring an emergency.
Summary
WHEREAS, in 1935 the United Auto Workers “UAW” was formed in Detroit, Michigan with the goal to be recognized by the “Big Three” General Motors, Ford and Chrysler now known as Stellantis; and
WHEREAS, 88 years later the members of the UAW area still fighting for rights of workers in the Stand Up Strike of 2023; and
WHEREAS, 146,000 UAW workers are striking to gain back pay concessions imposed during the great recession between 2007-2009, the removal of the tiered wage system implemented in 2007, and to return other benefits including pensions and a standard healthcare plan also lost during previous economic downturns; and
WHEREAS, in the past decade the “Big Three” have made profits of $164 billion with $20 billion coming last year; while the workers have been met with forced overtime, any increases in pay have been wiped out by inflation, and watching top executives pay being increased by up to 40%; and
WHEREAS, in a time when inequality is a massive concern for our society, it is the protection of unions that will work to restore a living wage and the benefits that were hard fought by those who came before; and
WHEREAS, it is time for the highly paid executives sitting in glass towers to understand that without line workers and laborers the industry would cease to exist and that the workers and families deserve to be compensated for the important work they contribute; NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the City of Toledo supports the UAW workers as they enter into the Stand-Up Strike of 2023.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that the return to work of the UAW strikers with a fair contract is of the utmost importance for the workers, their families and the nation as a whole.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Adopted: September 26, 2023, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: September 26, 2023
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor