Rep. Jarrells Stands with United Auto Workers

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today announced that he is fully supportive of the Stand Up Strike and all United Auto Workers (UAW) union members. UAW members agreed that they would strike if an agreement was not met by 11:59 pm ET on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

“The United Auto Workers have been a vital part of the success of this state and I am proud of their decision to strike. No matter who you are, you always deserve the dignity of a living wage, good healthcare, and benefits for the work that you do,” said Rep. Jarrells. “Corporations have the responsibility to support their greatest asset: their workers, and they should do the right thing for their employees and their families. We would not be where we are if not for our workers.”

UAW members are currently striking and picketing at three locations across the nation, including the Stellantis’ Toledo Assembly Complex, a GM site in Wentzville, Missouri, and a Ford assembly location in Wayne, Michigan.

General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis have authorized $5 billion dollars in stock buybacks with their CEOs having received a 40% salary increase. The companies have earned $24 billion dollars in profits in the first half of 2023, indicating the success of the auto industry for the last few years. However, workers have been asking for wage increases, new working conditions, and to restore benefits that were cut while companies were struggling in the 2008 Financial Crisis, and these requests have not been met.

Rep. Jarrells is fully supportive of federal legislation like the ProAct and Senator Sherrod Brown’s Workers Healthcare Protection Act. He believes that we need to update our labor laws and strengthen our workforce. Strikes have been happening across the country, from actors to autoworkers, and he believes we must support everyone’s right to a living wage, and a good job.