Emergency Assistance for the U.S. Auto Industry

The following message is from USW President, Leo Gerard:

Nov. 24, 2008

A Special Message about the Emergency Assistance Package for the U.S. Auto Industry

Sisters and Brothers,

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, let us not forget that our nation’s economy is in crisis. We’ve all felt the effects of this difficult time and we need to do what we can to prevent the crisis from getting worse.

That means supporting an emergency assistance package for the U.S. automakers. Let’s be clear: this is not a bailout that only helps Wall Street. This is an absolutely necessary loan to aid Main Street and protect our jobs.

The auto industry employs millions of hard working men and women and provides health care and pensions to millions more retirees. These family-supporting jobs are vital to communities across the nation. But this issue goes far beyond that – millions more jobs, including tens of thousands of USW jobs - are directly tied to the auto industry.

If the auto industry goes bust, chances are our jobs will go with it, and our entire economy will spiral deeper into peril.

So supporting this package isn’t just about solidarity for our brothers and sisters at the United Autoworkers and other unions, although that on its own would make this a worthy cause. It’s about saving our economy, protecting the middle class and fighting for our families.

Here’s what you can do right now:
1. Visit our Web site, www.usw.org or the UAW’s site at www.uaw.org and get the facts about the emergency assistance package. You can also download a PDF version of the talking points by clicking here. http://assets.usw.org/News/uaw-talking-points.pdf
2. Call and write your Congressmen and Congresswomen, state leaders and governors to express support for the emergency assistance package and request that they support the UAW-endorsed plan. You can mail Congress using our easy tool by clicking here.
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/autojobs
3. Pass along this information and ask your co-workers, friends and families to also take action.

Here’s the message we need to send: Congress must act in December to avoid the terrible consequences that would result from a collapse of the domestic automakers. It must pass legislation providing an emergency bridge loan to enable the domestic auto companies to continue their operations. At the same time, it should include requirements that will protect the taxpayers, and ensure the accountability and long term liability of the domestic auto companies.

As always, thanks for all you do.

In Solidarity,

Leo W. Gerard