DETROIT, Michigan – In the throes of a historic “Stand Up” strike by the United Auto Workers against automotive giants General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford, US Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a fervent address, characterizing the striking car workers as combatants in a battle against the glaring excesses of corporate greed prevalent across the nation.
Sanders, known for his liberal stance and tireless advocacy for workers’ rights, took center stage on a Friday afternoon during the rally held in Detroit, Michigan, setting the tone for the first day of these monumental strikes.
Addressing the fervent crowd, Sanders articulated, “The struggle you are embarking upon extends beyond the realms of fair wages, equitable benefits, and humane working conditions within the automotive sector. It is, in essence, a fervent resistance against the audacious levels of corporate avarice and hubris personified by CEOs who believe in their unbridled right to accumulate unfathomable wealth while remaining apathetic to the well-being of their workforce.”
He further emphasized, “This battle is a quest to resurrect the faltering middle class of our nation, a class that was once a source of global admiration.”
Sanders also condemned the extravagant gains accrued by the CEOs and shareholders of America’s most prominent automakers, characterizing them as beneficiaries who “profit extravagantly.”
“The narrative of an oligarchy does not align with our vision,” Sanders asserted. “We refuse to acquiesce to a societal structure in which the wealth chasm is so starkly evident, with the majority languishing in economic disparity while a privileged few amass unimaginable riches.”
Among the spectators of Sanders’ impassioned speech was Chris Sanders, a veteran employee at the Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, for a decade. Chris Sanders underscored that the media’s preoccupation with the strike’s economic ramifications on businesses and consumers overlooks a more critical inquiry: “What has two decades of evading our equitable contributions cost our economy?” He went on to stress the vital role of placing finances in the hands of ordinary citizens, remarking, “The lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic have underscored that economic momentum derives not from billionaires but from placing money in the hands of everyday people who, through spending or saving, stimulate demand for products.”
Chris Sanders pointed out the challenges faced by the Ford plant in hiring new employees due to starting wages of approximately $16 an hour that no longer compete favorably with other job opportunities. He also expressed exasperation at the disproportionate focus on autoworkers when executives command salaries ranging from $21 million to $27 million, while hourly labor and benefits account for less than 5% of a vehicle’s total cost.
The rally witnessed the participation of Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, secretary of state, Jocelyn Benson, and lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist II, all delivering introductory speeches. UAW President Shawn Fain introduced Bernie Sanders, an independent senator who caucuses with the Democrats, by urging the audience to take a stand: “It’s time to choose a side – either you stand with the billionaire class or you stand with the working class.”
In this pivotal moment, Sanders’ rallying cry reverberated through the hearts of the assembled workers, amplifying their resolve in a fight that goes beyond wages and benefits, transcending into a crusade against corporate excesses and the inequities that plague the American economic landscape.
