Blog

COVID-19 Update 4/14/2020

My Brothers and Sisters, I am very pleased to share some positive news today that, once again, speaks to how our UAW family is stepping up to help out during this worldwide crisis. As we all know, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is critical to keeping our frontline health care workers and others safe from infection as they care for others and keep our communities functioning. Yesterday, we announced that the UAW, working with Ford Motor Company, has taken another step in responding to the COVID-19 crisis by shifting more production to face masks for medical use, PPE and respirators. Our UAW Ford members continue to volunteer to report to work during this difficult time as we expand at the facility across from Flat Rock, Michigan to make respirators. And UAW Ford members are continuing to make face masks for medical use at the Van Dyke Transmission Plant.

Statement of UAW Vice President Gerald Kariem Director of the UAW Ford Department on the Announcement of Expansion of COVID-19 Supply Production

COVID-19 Update 4/11/2020

My Sisters and Brothers, Just a short message today on behalf of myself and the entire International Executive Board, to wish our UAW family all the best on this holiday weekend. Many of us are observing religious holidays; and while our celebrations may be different this year, we are still with one another in spirit and in faith. And it is that commonality that will see us through this terrible worldwide crisis.

Heroes on the Front Line: Travis Fick

The day COVID-19 shutdown the Warren (Michigan) Technical Center is the day Travis Fick jumped wholeheartedly into the fight against the virus. “It was a Friday. I believe March 20. I had been paying attention, so I knew there was a shortage of personal protection equipment, so I started a Facebook group to see what we could do,” says the Local 160 member. Immediately, he posted information about the need to get protection gear to medical professionals. He called businesses like dentist offices that had closed because they were not essential, but might have N95 masks, gloves, medical gowns and caps, or anything that could be used on the front lines.

Webinar Offers Expert Info on Preventing Spread of Viruses at Work

COVID-19 Update 4/8/2020

My Brothers and Sisters, I’d like to talk a little today about the loss of my good friend and former UAW Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks. Ruben passed on Monday, another casualty in this terrible pandemic. He was truly a gentleman and a tireless fighter for working men and women, for our members and for what is right and just. He served this union tirelessly for decades, starting at the GM Fisher Body Plant 2 in Flint, Michigan. He quickly rose through the UAW ranks, serving as committee person, executive board member and director of Region 1C. I will be forever grateful for his leadership and his friendship. And in thinking about my dear union brother and his contributions, I take strength in the fact that Ruben was one of so many dedicated individuals who have served this union.