In a groundbreaking move, the United Auto Workers (UAW) has become the largest labor union to support a permanent cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The announcement was made on Friday by UAW Region 9A Director, Brandon Mancilla, during a hunger strike protest outside the White House. The demonstration, which has been ongoing for five days, has attracted notable figures including actress Cynthia Nixon and Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush.
"UAW International is urging for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Israel and Palestine, so that we can focus on the important work of establishing lasting peace, promoting social justice, and fostering a global community of solidarity," stated Mancilla.
Mancilla emphasized that the call for a cease-fire and the aspiration to create a global community of solidarity are crucial in the pursuit of justice for workers, oppressed individuals, and the underprivileged worldwide.
In a recent message shared on X, the International Executive Board of UAW announced the formation of a working group to examine the historical background of the region and their union's economic connections to the conflict.
UAW president Shawn Fain expressed his pride in the UAW International Union's call for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. He stated that throughout history, the UAW has consistently stood for justice on a global scale, from opposing fascism in WWII to mobilizing against apartheid South Africa and the CONTRA war.
Several other labor organizations, including UE, CLUW, and APWU, have also voiced their support for a cease-fire.
In a press release, the APWU strongly condemned the Hamas violence on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Israeli civilians and the kidnapping of more than 200 individuals. However, the APWU criticized Israel's response, stating that it has further hindered the prospects of peace. The organization highlighted that over 10,000 innocent civilians, including 4,000 children, have been killed in Gaza due to the relentless and indiscriminate bombing campaign. They also accused Israel of committing a war crime by cutting off the flow of essential supplies to the Gaza Strip, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe.
For more information, you can read the APWU's press release here.
UAW Ends Six-Week Strike with Detroit Car Manufacturers
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has successfully ended a six-week strike on October 30th after reaching tentative labor agreements with the Detroit Big 3 car manufacturers. This strike, which began on September 13th, has caused significant disruptions in the automotive industry.
Notably, President Biden showed unprecedented solidarity with the UAW workers by joining the picket line in September. It was an extraordinary gesture from a sitting president, demonstrating his support for the rights and demands of American workers.
