UAW Remembers Rev. Jesse Jackson's Legacy of Advocacy for Workers

The United Auto Workers (UAW) community is mourning the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a steadfast advocate for labor rights and a longtime ally of the organization. Over the years, Jackson's unwavering support for the labor movement and working-class individuals left a significant impact on the UAW and its initiatives.

In 2023, Rev. Jackson made a notable appearance at UAW Local 551 in Chicago, where he united with hundreds of autoworkers during the Stand Up Strike. His participation in this event exemplified his lifelong dedication to the struggles of the working class and his broader commitment to humanity.

Rev. Jackson consistently aligned himself with the working class throughout his career, speaking against the offshoring of manufacturing jobs from the United States and the negative impact on local communities. He advocated for fair trade agreements prioritizing worker welfare. His global activism included traveling to South Africa in 1979 to address the dismissal of 700 Black workers at a Ford Motor Co. plant and playing a pivotal role in the international anti-apartheid movement. In 2010, he accompanied UAW President Bob King on a national tour promoting themes of jobs, justice, and peace, values he championed throughout his life. His presence was felt in cities from Detroit to across the nation, as he rallied for industrial policies that prioritize jobs, worker rights, civil rights, and humane economic practices.

Rev. Jackson's life's work was deeply rooted in the interconnected realms of civil rights, labor advocacy, anti-apartheid efforts, and the global peace movement. His mission was unified by a core belief in dignity, fairness, and opportunity for all individuals.

The UAW calls for honoring Rev. Jackson's legacy through action, continuing his fight for justice and equality.