Auto Workers Flip Election Script, Thousands Rally to Trump Campaign
By Mick Farthing|September 16, 2024
Auto Workers Flip Election Script, Thousands Rally to Trump Campaign

Unions and Democrats have long been bedfellows. For decades, unions have thrown their weight behind Democratic candidates, believing their interests would be well represented in the party of labor rights and blue-collar advocacy.

Union endorsements became almost automatic during election season, with union leaders trotting out to praise Democratic candidates. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find a different reality. Union workers don’t always see those promises fulfilled. The “party of the working man” hasn’t always delivered for the very people they claim to champion.

Take a closer look at the track record. Time and again, union workers, especially in manufacturing, have seen jobs disappear and wages stagnate under Democratic leadership. Industries that once thrived are now ghost towns, while politicians spin stories of support. Yet, when the dust settles, the results often look bleak for union workers. Trade agreements and regulatory policies hit them hardest, and Democrats, in many cases, have played a leading role in shaping these disastrous outcomes.

From Fox News:
A retired autoworker who spent 36 combined years on the line for both Ford and Chrysler – now Stellantis – started a pro-Trump group of colleagues and retirees in 2017 that has ballooned to thousands in recent times…

“Word got out around my plant. It quickly doubled and tripled in size. … Other workers at other auto plants started seeing it [on social media] and requesting to join. And all of a sudden I had hundreds of members,” Pannebecker said.

That’s where Brian Pannebecker and his pro-Trump movement come in. A retired autoworker, Pannebecker spent 36 years on the line at Ford and Chrysler and saw firsthand the impact of poor policy on his industry. In 2017, he started a group with just 30 United Auto Workers (UAW) members who backed Trump.

Today, that group has swelled to thousands, and they’re more energized than ever. Why? Because Trump didn’t just talk—he acted. He scrapped NAFTA and renegotiated trade deals to protect American workers. For people like Pannebecker and his growing group of Trump-supporting autoworkers, that kind of follow-through matters.

Now, Pannebecker’s group is out in full force, spreading the word across Michigan auto plants. They believe in Trump’s vision and see through the Democrats’ “Green New Scam,” as Pannebecker calls it. According to him, this push for electric vehicles (EVs) is killing jobs and forcing products onto consumers they don’t want. The workers in his group aren’t anti-environment—they’re pro-reality. They see layoffs happening while EVs gather dust on dealership lots, and they know the so-called green revolution isn’t benefiting them.

What’s more, Trump’s record speaks for itself. He renegotiated trade deals, brought jobs back, and fought against offshoring—things Pannebecker says Democrats have long ignored. And now, with another election looming, Pannebecker and his group are determined to ensure their voices are heard. They’re hitting parking lots and shift changes, talking to fellow autoworkers, and making the case for Trump. It’s not about party loyalty anymore. It’s about survival.

While union leadership like UAW President Shawn Fain remains cozy with Democrats, Pannebecker and his crew are focused on the rank and file—the people on the floor who see the real impact of policies. Fain might be rubbing elbows with political elites, but Pannebecker’s group is talking to the workers who are living through the consequences of misguided policies. They don’t want rhetoric. They want action. And for them, that action comes from Trump.

As election season heats up, the tide in traditionally Democrat-heavy areas like Michigan is turning. Workers who once voted blue are now rethinking their choices, fueled by disappointment and a desire for real results. Trump has earned their trust, and as Pannebecker says, the message is clear: “We cannot stay home. Nobody can stay home this election.”

Key Takeaways:

  • Unions traditionally endorse Democrats, but many union workers feel let down by the party’s failure to protect their jobs and livelihoods.
  • Brian Pannebecker, a retired autoworker, founded a pro-Trump group that has grown to thousands of UAW members who believe Trump delivers on his promises, like renegotiating trade deals.
  • The group opposes Democratic policies, particularly the push for electric vehicles, which they say are costing jobs and hurting the auto industry.

Source: Fox News


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Mick Farthing
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.