Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm Address
by Region 8 Webmaster John Davis

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm addressed the conference to kick things off on Wednesday. Governor Grandholm just began her second term as governor, and has proved to be a good and trusted friend to the UAW and working families.

“I want you to know that I understand that I would not be here without the help of the UAW,” the Governor stated. “The history of Michigan is intertwined with the UAW. Your struggle to defend the working class is our struggle as well. In Michigan, as in all manufacturing states, together we are carrying on the fight for working families. Together we must carry this fight to the halls of Washington.

We all feel the pressure of globalization pushing down on our working families, driving wages and benefits lower. We have to push for worker’s rights provisions in our trade agreements. We must advocate for the right to organize, the right to assemble and the right to bargain collectively. The Bush Administration must develop a manufacturing agenda that meets the needs of workers both here and abroad. Without worker protections in foreign lands, the race to the bottom continues here.

In Michigan, there are some who feel that tax cuts to businesses alone can correct this issue. Our state has cut taxes in business to the point that we are looking at 30% drop in tax revenue while we continue to lose thousands of jobs. I tell you, cutting business taxes alone cannot correct this situation. We need investment in our schools, in our infrastructure and in technology.

The question becomes how do we level the playing field? How do we stop these cuts? To begin with we must negotiate trade deals that offer worker protections to raise the standard of living in those areas, as oppose to lowering the standard of living here. We feel the loss of jobs here deeply. We must support the rights of workers here and aboard to organize and raise their standard of living. We must elect officials who understand the concept of leveling up, rather than leveling down.

These are tough times and I know you have tough decisions to make. I would urge this membership to support your leadership team and stand with them as you enter into negotiations. I applaud the efforts you have made to save jobs and to protect the middle class. Thank you for your support and in all you do.”