SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Dozens of people gathered on the steps of Syracuse City Hall on Wednesday afternoon to stand in support of United Auto Workers union members currently walking the picket lines across the upper Midwest. Speakers at the rally stood in solidarity, and included key local figures such as Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and New York State Senator John Mannion (D-Geddes).
Participants in the rally held up and waved around signs in support of the strike, now in its second week. Workers at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (parent company of Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler) walked off the job last week in demand of cost of living adjustments, ending the two-tiered pay system, and a 40 percent pay raise.
“They have the money to give our members what they deserve, in pay and compensation, and, and have everyone equal” said Wence Valentin, III, Political Director for UAW Region 9, which covers western and central New York.
Valentin said he is concerned about plant closures, much like the General Motors plant that shut down its Salina plant in 1992. That closure led the loss of nearly 1,400 jobs, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard.
Sen. John Mannion spoke at the rally, bragging about the cars parked in his driveway, Chevrolets and a Jeep.
“We want these jobs in America, and we want the people paid well, treated well, with good benefits, and good job protection,” said Mannion.
The rally functioning as a promise to support workers hundred of miles to the west from Central New York.
