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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) gave a speech on the House floor in support of the United Auto Workers on strike for an increase in wages, benefits, job security, and access to healthcare.

Video of her floor speech is available here.  

Dingell’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:

“Mr. Speaker: For the last month, my brothers and sisters in the UAW have been standing up for their livelihoods, their families, and their future.

When home, I’ve joined them at all hours and all shifts just to listen, to support, and to understand.

Being on the picket line is hard work. But UAW workers are committed workers who are a crucial component of building America’s auto industry and driving our nation’s economy.

This strike has been about the collective community and workers across American being treated fairly with dignity and respect.

Many UAW members picketing are newer hires and temporaries. Workers who are paid less than their colleagues they work side-by-side with. Many Temps work seven days a week, get no overtime, have no sick pay, and can’t take time for a family emergency.

The good news for the country is that a tentative agreement between UAW and GM is now going for ratification. All of us, all workers need to recognize they benefit from the courage, commitment, and caring of these UAW workers. We need their jobs here, we need manufacturing here in this country, but we need fair pay, fair benefits, and commitment to produce here in the United States of America.

There fight is the fight of all workers”

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