COVID-19 Update 4/11/2020

My Sisters and Brothers,

Just a short message today on behalf of myself and the entire International Executive Board, to wish our UAW family all the best on this holiday weekend. Many of us are observing religious holidays; and while our celebrations may be different this year, we are still with one another in spirit and in faith. And it is that commonality that will see us through this terrible worldwide crisis.

I want to recognize all of my sisters and brothers who are helping fight this devastating virus in so many ways in so many of our communities – whether it’s looking out for a neighbor, volunteering to go back into a plant to make Personal Protective Equipment, caring for the sick, protecting our communities, caring for our friends, family and neighbors in long-term care facilities, and so many other brave and kind acts. I think our past president Walter Reuther may have said it best: “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is not greater satisfaction than to have done it well.”

This UAW family has a long rich history of stepping up to serve when our country is in need and today is no different. I have been so humbled to see so many of our UAW family coming to the aid of their communities and our nation.

I’m sorry to say that today’s message brings sad news. We lost a brother to the virus yesterday who worked at the Ford Truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan. Our prayers and support go out to his family and friends.

As always, please stay safe, support one another and continue to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV.

For more updates and questions that you may have about your worksite, visit https://uaw.org/coronavirus/.

Personally, I keep all of us in my prayers.

In solidarity,
Rory L. Gamble