Durbin Joins UAW Picket Line at Ford Assembly Plant in Chicago
CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today showed his support for striking United Auto Workers (UAW) by joining them on the picket line at the FordAssembly Plant. This follows a visit Durbin made to the UAW picket line at General Motors in Bolingbrook, Illinois, last week.
“For weeks, the men and women of UAW have stood shoulder to shoulder, united in their pursuit of fair wages, safe working conditions, and job security,” said Durbin. “They have endured long hours, harsh weather, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead, but they remain resolute in their commitment to a better future for themselves and their families. In our great nation, we have overcome challenges that once seemed insurmountable by finding common ground and working towards a better tomorrow. The time has come for the Big Three to embrace this spirit of unity and partnership, and to honor the dedication and resilience of these workers.”
In July, UAW and the Big Three Automakers—General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis—began contract negotiations to determine their next four-year labor deal. Their contract expired on September 14, and the union began targeted strikes the next day, starting in Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri. The expanded strike against the Big Three automakers now includes more than 25,000 UAW members at 43 facilities in 21 states, including strikes at the Chicago Ford plant, and facilities in Naperville and Bolingbrook.
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