Rep. Mohamed Stands with United Auto Workers' Strike

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) today announced that he is 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.

“Auto workers are the driving force behind profits for major auto companies, and they should be compensated and treated as such,” said Rep. Mohamed. “A strike is not ideal for anyone, but is necessary for workers to demand the respect, compensation, and safety that they deserve. I am hopeful that negotiations will continue and end in a deal that will benefit workers now, and strengthen the workforce for years to come.  

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. Mohamed is wholly supportive of federal legislation like the ProAct and Senator Sherrod Brown’s Workers Healthcare Protection Act.