COVID-19 Update 4/7/2020

My Sisters and Brothers,

I’m pleased to bring you some more stories today of the good works of our UAW family during this terrible crisis. I’ve shared stories in the past weeks of our brave members on the front lines of this pandemic, but we have many members helping out in so many different ways across the nation. I’d like to share a different type of story today.

This pandemic has created and/or exacerbated terrible financial and domestic hardships for so many Americans. I want to recognize one of our locals for stepping up to offer help for people facing these difficult situations. Local 2320, the National Organization of Legal Service Workers, is providing critical legal services to help people who are facing eviction, to help clients obtain public benefits and assist with unemployment claims, and to advocate for protection in cases of abuse. Local 2320 members are going above and beyond normal duties to work in coalition with community organizations to keep courthouses across the country safe by pushing for closure for all but essential services. These efforts have been successful in securing a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures to keep people safely in their homes during this pandemic.

These efforts from hard working UAW members are making a difference for people in need during these difficult days, and we at the UAW are grateful for their sacrifice.

I know that we are all anxious to hear updates on work schedules and restart schedules. I expect to have more on that in the days to come. I want to thank our members for their strength and their patience.

Unfortunately, there is also sad news today. I’m sorry to report we lost a staff member in the Accounting department this past week. At this time, we do not know the cause of death. Our prayers and support go out to family and friends.

As always, I want to urge everyone to stay safe, support one another and please 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/.

In solidarity,

Rory L. Gamble