Whitmer tells UAW crowd: Workers won’t get shortchanged on my watch

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer touted her record Wednesday as a “pro-worker” governor during a speech to UAW members on the third day of the union’s 38th constitutional convention in Detroit.

“To anyone who wants to shortchange our workers, my message is clear: Not on my watch. I am a pro-worker governor to the core, and I will continue to fight for working people, and I know who we’re up against,” Whitmer told delegates.

Whitmer said she’d be unapologetic about supporting workers and their families, and would continue to be the “happy warrior” as long as she has an army, in the UAW, at her back.

Whitmer also turned to the stakes of her reelection bid and this year’s general election, predicting the “other side is going to throw a lot at me.” 

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“Because this ballot is not just me and (Lt. Gov.) Garlin Gilchrist or (Secretary of State) Jocelyn Benson or (Attorney General) Dana Nessel or all the Democrats running in the Legislature. On this ballot is working rights, is civil rights, is voting rights, is women’s rights, and we must win,” Whitmer said.

The governor also listed some of the issues facing the auto industry, including the ongoing global semiconductor shortage, but said the state is in good position for the economic challenges ahead and that Michigan can lead the world when it comes to electric vehicles.

“I will stay focused at the state level making sure that we’re investing in our workers and the future of American manufacturing. Together, we can create good-paying high-skilled union jobs and lead the world in electric vehicle development and manufacturing,” Whitmer said.