Original letter sent by mail from CIU National Mark Weber to Shawn Fain, President of the UAW, on August 14, 2024.

Dear President Fain,

The decision by the UAW to counter Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s shameless attempt to intimidate American workers is to be applauded in the strongest terms. It should serve as a rallying call and inspiration for the entire labour movement in the face of mounting adversity on the part of conservative, far-right elements across the globe.

In Canada and the United States, right wing political parties brand themselves as friends of workers while seeking to erode their very rights. Their policies weaken the working class and attack the foundations of organized labour, from the fundamental freedom of association to the right to strike.

Throughout the past century, unions have faced aggression from those who wish to see their rights curtailed. Time and again, organized labour has upheld and expanded the rights of workers. We now face the threat of national conservatism, which aims to roll back the clock to a time when workers’ rights were yet to be won.

It is unsurprising that this latest attack would come from a billionaire and his politician crony, and the UAW’s pushback against this illegal display is timely. The Customs and Immigration Union stands in support of our fellow union members of the UAW. Your actions are needed now more than ever. Only when organized labour stays silent do those who would oppress workers succeed.

In solidarity,

Mark Weber
National President, Customs and Immigration Union

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