Solidarity with Uaw

Floor Speech

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Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, today, earlier in committee, we were talking about the economy and talking about numbers, so I want to continue the conversation on numbers.

Approximately $25 million, that is the amount reported that was earned by the Stellantis CEO in 2022, which is a 77 percent increase over the former CEO's salary in 2019.

Nearly $21 million is the reported earnings of the Ford CEO, and that was up 21 percent from the salary of the former CEO in 2019.

Approximately $30 million is the paycheck of General Motors' CEO, which is an increase of 34 percent compared to 2019.

Not long ago, a CEO defended their paycheck by saying, ``Ninety-two percent of it is based on performance of the company.''

You see, I, too, believe that when a company does great financially, the ones who worked to make it a reality should see the fruits of their efforts.

When we say that a record-high salary raise is due to the record-high performance of a company, we should ask ourselves: How was that performance made possible?

The truth is that there is only one answer. The answer is that nearly 150,000 United Auto Workers who are out on the streets today urging these companies for parity are the reason for this performance. They are urging their companies for their earned benefits. They are urging their companies for stronger protection and a place in the industry's future, the clean energy economy.

Mr. Speaker, as the proud daughter of hardworking immigrant parents who worked long hours at minimum wage jobs--my mother still today a home care worker--which they did just to put food on our table, a roof over our heads, and keep the lights on, it is my honor to stand here in full support of UAW workers and every single worker fighting for their future. Workers are the backbone of our middle class and our economy, and we know that when they thrive, we all thrive.

Time and time again, workers are demonstrating to us that the power we hold when we come together to bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions is a benefit for all of us. I know that we will succeed again.

Today, I stand with autoworkers in their fight to secure the contract that they deserve. It is time that we give our autoworkers the parity and support they need and have already earned.

Know that in me you will always find someone who stands ready to protect and support all workers' rights to fair wages, safe and dignified working conditions, universal healthcare, and democracy in the workplace. It is what the Congressional Progressive Caucus stands for. It is what I stand for. It is why I am so honored to be able to speak today in this Special Order hour.

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