Press Release

Contact:  Nils Robbins, Director of Communications and Operations               

Phone:  202.770.8053 

E-mail:  Nils.Robbins@NationalDMO.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 16, 2019

National organization of local officials urges fair and swift negotiations to end UAW strike

DETROIT – Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) today urged the negotiators of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and General Motors (GM) to end the strike and swiftly accept a contact that is fair, reasonable, and puts working families first. Some 46,000 UAW members went on strike at midnight last night, leaving the assembly lines at 31 GM factories and 21 other facilities in nine states, and beginning one of the largest strikes of any union in over 12 years.

“We need a quick resolution that puts people back to work. Fair pay, job security, and affordable healthcare seem to be a reasonable exchange for a company that made over $4 billion in profits last year. I am hopeful we can get back to doing what we do best in Detroit, making quality American cars,” said DMO President and Detroit City Council Member Scott Benson.

In 2008, GM received a $50 billion taxpayer bailout, but in the last year has threatened to close down four of its plants. UAW leaders have pointed out that their members have stuck with GM through good times and bad.

As the largest constituency organization of the Democratic National Committee, DMO has always been a strong supporter of union members and the workplace safety standards they have won for every worker. DMO understands that strong unions mean good jobs and better communities. Studies have shown those covered under a union contract narrow the wealth gap because union members generally have higher wages, more job stability, and better benefits. 

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Democratic Municipal Officials is the national association for America’s mayors, city council members and other elected municipal leaders who subscribe to the values of the Democratic Party. They represent over 40,000 elected officials in the United States and have an active membership of 6,000. DMO is a constituency organization of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) but operates as a separate, independent, 527 non-federal, non-profit political organization.