MICHIGAN — Labor unions, a major political force in Michigan and around the country, are backing Representative Elissa Slotkin for Michigan’s open Senate seat. The seat is open due to the retirement of Senator Debbie Stabenow who has held the seat since 2001.
According to an article in The Gander, Slotkin has been endorsed by over twenty unions representing roughly 600,000 Michiganders. The MEA, Michigan’s largest education union, announced in its endorsement that, “Throughout her time in Congress, Elissa Slotkin has been an amazing advocate for everyday teachers, school support staff and higher education employees across Michigan,” said MEA President Chandra Madafferi. “Educators, parents and students need a champion on their side, and that’s why the MEA is proud to recommend Elissa Slotkin for the U.S. Senate.”
Slotkin’s support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that has led to thousands of prevailing wage jobs for workers across the construction industry led to the endorsements of unions such as the Michigan Building Trades Council, Michigan Pipes Trades Association, Operating Engineers and others.
“Thanks to leaders like her, for years to come, Michigan workers—including thousands of our members—are going to be rebuilding our infrastructure with American-made supplies while earning a real living wage,” said Price Dobernick, president of the Michigan Pipes Trades Association.
According to The Gander’s reporting, Slotkin has built a strong record of supporting Michigan workers:
Union leaders have also credited Slotkin for voting to protect union pensions and raise the minimum wage, as well as ensuring prevailing wage provisions were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Last year, Slotkin also brought a United Auto Workers union leader as her guest to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.
Slotkin has also signed onto the Raise the Wage Act to boost the federal minimum wage and has co-sponsored the PRO Act in each session of Congress. That legislation would protect collective bargaining rights and give the National Labor Relations Board more power.
