<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><a href="https://www.nationofchange.org/2024/10/07/uaw-denounces-trump-vance-ticket-as-menace-to-working-class-amid-threats-to-ev-jobs-in-michigan/" class="">https://www.nationofchange.org/2024/10/07/uaw-denounces-trump-vance-ticket-as-menace-to-working-class-amid-threats-to-ev-jobs-in-michigan/</a></div><div class=""><h1 class="entry-title">UAW denounces Trump-Vance ticket as “menace to working class” amid threats to EV jobs in Michigan</h1><p class="td-post-sub-title"><i class="">The UAW
warns that the Trump-Vance ticket threatens Michigan’s economic future
by jeopardizing a $500 million federal grant for an electric vehicle
plant, while highlighting the Biden-Harris administration’s investment
in American manufacturing and union jobs.</i></p><div class=""><br class=""></div>
<div class="td-module-meta-info"></div></div><p class="">The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has doubled down on its warning
to the working class about the dangers posed by the Republican ticket of
Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in the 2024 presidential race. The union’s
latest statement comes in response to remarks made by Vance, who refused
to commit to honoring a $500 million federal grant for an electric
vehicle (EV) plant in Michigan—one of the most significant battleground
states in the upcoming election.</p><p class="">Both Trump and Vance, a venture capitalist turned U.S. senator from
Ohio, are campaigning in Michigan this week. Vance, who often postures
as a champion of the working class, sparked controversy when he was
“noncommittal” about the promised funding. According to <em class="">The Detroit News</em>,
the $500 million grant would help General Motors (GM) convert its
Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant into an EV production facility,
creating good-paying jobs and advancing the state’s role in green
energy.</p><p class="">The UAW, which has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the White House, fired back at the
Trump-Vance ticket. “Donald Trump was the job-killer-in-chief while in
the White House,” the union stated, invoking Trump’s role in pushing
forward the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), or what they
call “Trump’s NAFTA.”</p><p class="">The UAW has long been critical of the USMCA, claiming that it has led
to the outsourcing of jobs. In their statement, the union argued,
“Trump’s NAFTA has led to the mass exodus of good, blue-collar jobs from
the United States.” They also pointed out the contrast between the
policies of the Trump administration and those of the Biden-Harris team:
“In sharp contrast, the Biden-Harris administration has bet on the
American worker, and thanks to their policies, hundreds of thousands of
good manufacturing jobs are returning to the United States.”</p><p class="">The controversy surrounding the EV plant funding could have major
consequences for Michigan’s economy, particularly as the state
transitions to electric vehicles. The $500 million grant from the Biden
administration is part of a larger $1.7 billion federal investment aimed
at revamping the U.S. auto industry for a clean energy future.</p><p class="">The stakes are high: not only does the grant promise to secure union
jobs, but it also plays a pivotal role in positioning Michigan as a
leader in the transition to green energy. Vance’s reluctance to commit
to the funding is seen as a direct threat to the state’s future economic
stability, particularly in manufacturing.</p><p class="">“Now, Trump and JD Vance are invading Michigan and threatening the
$500 million investment the Biden-Harris administration made in the
General Motors Grand River Assembly Plant and the union jobs that
investment would provide,” the UAW stated, making it clear that they
view Trump and Vance as harmful to the future of American labor.</p><p class="">“The bottom line is that Donald Trump and JD Vance are a menace to
the working class and are openly threatening to double down on Trump’s
legacy of job destruction,” the union declared, highlighting the
importance of the grant in securing a future for Michigan workers.</p><p class="">The UAW’s criticism comes on the heels of positive economic news for
the Biden administration. On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
announced that in September, federal unemployment hit 4.1%, and the U.S.
economy added 254,000 jobs—well above the 100,000 jobs projected by
economists. These figures serve as a boost to the Biden-Harris campaign,
emphasizing the administration’s focus on job creation and economic
growth, particularly in the manufacturing sector.</p><p class="">The UAW argues that the Biden administration’s commitment to
renewable energy is crucial to the future of American manufacturing,
especially in industries like electric vehicles. By pushing for federal
investments in EV plants and green technology, the administration is
ensuring that union jobs not only remain in the U.S. but also expand in
the years to come.</p><p class="">Shawn Fain, the UAW president who led the major strike against Big
Three automakers last year, is set to join Senator Bernie Sanders
(I-Vt.) for a series of campaign events supporting Kamala Harris this
weekend. Their stops will include cities like Warren, Grand Rapids, and
East Lansing, where they will address key issues such as healthcare,
corporate greed, and Michigan’s role in the future of American
manufacturing.</p><p class="">The campaign hopes to solidify Harris’s image as a defender of labor
rights and a champion for progressive causes. “The American healthcare
system, the fight against corporate greed, and shoring up Michigan’s
manufacturing future” will be at the forefront of their discussions, as
they aim to rally voters behind Harris’s vision for the country’s
economic future.</p><p class="">While in Michigan, Harris also made time to meet with leaders of the
Arab American community in Detroit and Flint. As reported by <em class="">Reuters</em>,
the meeting included leaders from groups like Emgage, which recently
endorsed Harris, and the American Task Force on Lebanon. However, some
leaders, such as Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute,
declined the invitation, signaling some discontent within the community.</p><p class="">Notably, the meeting did not include leaders from the Uncommitted
National Movement, a protest campaign calling for Democrats to
reevaluate their policies on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This
omission may reflect underlying tensions within the Democratic Party’s
voter base, particularly among those who feel that their concerns have
not been adequately addressed.</p><p class="">As the 2024 presidential race heats up, labor unions like the UAW
will play a crucial role in determining the election’s outcome,
particularly in key swing states like Michigan. The UAW’s sharp
criticism of Trump and Vance reflects broader concerns about the
Republican ticket’s impact on the working class and the future of U.S.
manufacturing.</p><p class="">With the $500 million EV plant grant in the balance, the UAW has made
it clear that they see Trump and Vance as threats to labor’s future.
Their endorsement of Kamala Harris, along with ongoing efforts to rally
voters, underscores their commitment to preserving union jobs and
supporting policies that benefit American workers.</p><p class="">“The bottom line is that Donald Trump and JD Vance are a menace to
the working class,” the UAW reiterated, leaving no doubt about where
they stand as the nation moves closer to Election Day.</p><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">
Arthur Stamoulis<br class="">Citizens Trade Campaign<br class="">(202) 494-8826<br class=""><br class=""><br class=""><br class="">
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