Durbin Discusses Strengthening Unions With UAW President
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain to talk through the upcoming contract negotiations between the union and automakers at the end of the year. In the meeting, Durbin reiterated his support for unions in addition to building up workforce development initiatives and apprenticeships to recruit and prepare young Americans to enter the auto industry. Fain and Durbin also emphasized the importance of investing in workers while transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) by ensuring good-paying, family-supporting jobs. Durbin also discussed the need for more diversity in unions, particularly in union leadership.
“Labor unions built this country. Along the way, unions, including UAW, have offered protections for their members and strengthened industries while holding employers accountable for workplace conditions,” said Durbin. “In my meeting with UAW President Shawn Fain today, I reaffirmed my support for autoworkers and their unions as well as my support for union representation in clean energy jobs.”
Photos of the meeting are available here.
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