Text of Rep. John Dingell's speech to 35th UAW Constitutional Convention

Thank you Rory for that kind and generous introduction.  You have been a dear friend to me and Deborah and I appreciate your kindness.

I want to take a brief moment, however, to issue a protest.  I protest the retirement of two great Americans from this union – your President Ron Gettlefinger and your Legislative Director Alan Reuther.  These two men are giants in labor and have served the UAW and this nation admirably.  They will be sorely missed.

I do want to say, however, that I hear good things are in store for my friend Bob King.  Bob, I look forward to working with you.

And my sincerest thank you to everyone gathered here today for honoring me with the UAW Social Justice Award.  This award is a happy compliment to the work that myself and everyone here did to bring the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act before President Obama for his signature.

HEALTH CARE REFORM

President Obama’s marked the conclusion of a task laid out by my father and Walter Reuther.  Together the two used to discuss how health care would eventually break the back of our industries.  In fact, it was in my early years in Congress when Walter appeared before the American Public Health Association and argued that the 30 million Americans without health insurance deserved comprehensive health care as it was a matter of right.

I was pleased to sit next to President Obama as he marked the accomplishment of comprehensive health care with his signature, and I am pleased to accept this award for those efforts.

My fight for health reform was rooted in two fundamental beliefs—health care is a right that should be enjoyed by all of our citizens, not a privilege afforded to a select few; and reforming our health care system is key to the long-term economic success of this country.

Less than three months ago, we were able to accomplish something great with health care reform signed into law.  It was not easy. There were many fits and starts. Together, we fought accusations of death panels, we survived the misguided anger orchestrated by our opponents, and we overcame the fear that usually comes with doing something historic.

With the leadership of President Obama, your persistent efforts on the ground, and the courage of the American people, we were able to deliver on a promise that was made many years ago.

The new health reform law will provide health coverage to millions of Americans who don’t currently have, while providing much needed security for those who do.  It will reign in skyrocketing costs for the benefit of our families and businesses.  The care our seniors receive through Medicare will be improved.  All of this will be done while lower federal deficits, helping to make America competitive again.

We have accomplished something great.  However, our work on health care is not done. We must do all we can to ensure our folks are properly educated on the benefits of the new law. We must also ensure that the many promises of the new law are realized for our people.

EXPANDING THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE

I have also fought alongside the UAW to encourage and promote collective bargaining.  I believe strongly that collective bargaining has been essential to improving the quality of life for America’s workers by ensuring they have access to quality benefits, a livable wage, a safe workplace and pensions they can retire on. 

In recent years we have seen paychecks shrinking, health care costs skyrocketing and 401ks or pensions that have been decimated due to the financial markets or company bankruptcies.  American workers are struggling to make ends meet, which is increasing opportunities to get ahead and have their voice heard is so critical. 

We know unions are important tools and resources to their workers.  Union workers earn 30 percent higher wages on average and are 60 percent more likely to have employer-covered health care.  Unfortunately, we have seen unionization drop to less than 10 percent of the workforce today.  I have been, and will continue to work alongside all of you to change this.

Years ago my dear Daddy was fired for union activities.  This is why I have been a strong supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act.  This legislation will help workers everywhere gain a stronger voice. If more workers are in unions, we’ll collectively have more muscle to raise living standards, improve wages, and halt outsourcing.

REBUILDING THE MIDDLE CLASS

One of the greatest accomplishments of labor and the UAW has been the establishment of a robust middle class.  Unfortunately we have seen the middle class hit the hardest by this recession.  More and more workers have been laid-off, those that are fortunate to still be employed have seen their home equity drop tremendously and the money set aside for their future retirement or child’s college tuition have disappeared.

For this country to continue to thrive and compete with our neighbors abroad, we must rebuild our middle class and we will do this in the following ways:

First, we will increase the accessibility and affordability of college education and training programs.  Increasing the accessibility of such training and education will ensure that we have the workforce to attract new industries here in the United States.

Second, we need to put an end to the outsourcing of high-paying jobs overseas.  It is imperative that our manufacturers and businesses understand the duty they have to our country to help in economic recovery by creating and retaining jobs here at home.

Third, we have to restore the income levels for the middle class.  Between 2000 and 2007 the median income for working-age households fell by roughly $2,100.  This is all despite continued and steady productivity increases by our workers.  In order to restore the quality of living for workers we must ensure income matches productivity.  

CONCLUSION

During the last few years we have seen the financial markets crash, the loss of nearly one million jobs in Michigan and double-digit unemployment.  But there has also been moments of great hope – the return of a Democratic President to the White House, the passage of the stimulus which has preserved and created jobs and strengthened our social safety net, and the enactment of comprehensive health care reform.

Raising the standards of living for the middle class should be something that everyone – regardless of their political beliefs or their title in the workplace can agree on.  As we continue to work towards a better living for all families, it is imperative that we do not get sidetracked by partisan bickering and it is also imperative that both business and labor join together to come before Congress with a set of shared priorities.

Rest assured I will continue to be a relentless advocate for my brothers and sisters at the UAW.  My success has been a direct result of the assistance and support of my friends in labor and I thank you for honoring me with the Social Justice Award.

Thank you.