Bernie Sanders will 'rally for the working class' in Belvidere, MI

Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star
Thu, October 10, 2024 



U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders will join United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain in Belvidere for a "Rally with the Working Class to End Trump’s NAFTA 2.0."

The rally is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday at the UAW Local 1268, 1100 W. Chrysler Drive in Belvidere.

Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, has long opposed free trade agreements he argues do not protect American jobs, harm the environment and speed climate change. Sanders supported the UAW during its 2023 Stand Up Strike in which it won wage increases and a promise to invest nearly $5 billion to re-open the Belvidere Assembly Plant and build a joint-venture battery production facility in Belvidere.

Stellantis has told UAW officials that it will not launch the Belvidere consolidated Mopar hub as planned in 2024, will not begin stamping operations in 2025 and will not begin production of a midsize truck in 2027. In response, the UAW has held several "Keep the Promise" rallies including one this week in Washington D.C. which it said was to demand Stellantis keep $19 billion worth of product and investment commitments.

UAW locals have filed grievances in preparation for a potential strike as Stellantis says market conditions have forced it to delay its promised investment in Belvidere. UAW officials have said a strike against the owner of Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat could come within weeks.

Stellantis has claimed that language in its labor agreement with the UAW would make a strike illegal and it has filed lawsuits against the union, the Detroit Free Press reports.

“Stellantis made a promise to invest in America and we’re making sure they keep the promise,” Fain said in a news release. “The commitments we won in our contract aren’t goals, they’re guarantees. The company claims they don’t have the money to make these investments. But since the year began, they’ve dumped more than $3 billion into stock buybacks. They have the money to Keep The Promise.”

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Bernie Sanders, Shawn Fain coming to UAW rally in Belvidere

Bernie Sanders visits Michigan State University for Harris campaign

Taryn Simmons
Wed, October 9, 2024 


EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)— Bernie Sanders discussed women’s rights, climate change, and wealth inequality during the Harris-Walz campaign.

Senator Bernie Sanders was joined by United Auto President Shawn Fain to help boost the Harris-Walz campaign this Sunday afternoon at Michigan State University.

The two spoke to voters young and old about fighting for the future during this election.

Sanders says the reason he joined the campaign was to ensure that Kamala Harris is the next president of the United States.

In his speech, he discussed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, climate change, and wealth disparities within the country.

He says the richest people in our country are doing well, but that isn’t the case for many other Americans.

“We have got to bring our people together. To create an economy that works for all of us. Not just the billionaire class,” said Sanders. “So, what we’re seeing right now, working people are struggling. People on top never had it so good and we need a government that protects all of us, not just wealth campaign contributors.”

Sanders also says that 60% of U.S. citizens live paycheck to paycheck.

Fain praised the Biden-Harris administration for their accomplishments and wants Michigan voters to focus on labor rights.

“We stand together as working class people. When we withhold out labor,” said Fain. “Nothing moves and that’s what this movement is about. Working class people have to take our power back by standing together.”

Fain and Sanders visited Grand Rapids earlier today.

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