April 20, 2015
By UAW President Dennis Williams
Washington DC – The announcement by Ford to invest $2.5 billion in Mexico is disappointing, but not any more disappointing than GM’s decision to invest $5 billion in Mexico or similar investments like FCA Chrysler, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, and now both Toyota and Kia which have announced investments in Mexico.
The fact is that these companies are taking advantage of slave-like wages and corruption permissible through bad trade agreements. All Americans should be angered that these products are sold in the United States, where American manufacturing workers could have had good paying jobs that respect basic human dignity. It is another example of why the American people should call Congress and say no to Fast Track; say no to more bad trade agreements and demand fair play.
And as consumers shop to buy cars, they should ask their car dealers where their vehicle of choice is made and choose to buy cars and trucks made and assembled by union members in the USA. It’s time for the American people to use their buying power to help rebuild the middle class and make the United States a strong manufacturing country once again.
