Integrity As Our Gilding Light

According to Mr. Webster, “Integrity is the firm, consistent adherence to a code of moral or ethical values.” Having held a leadership position in the UAW for the past four years, I can tell you without question a leader's first quality must include integrity.

Bargaining is a process of agreeing on terms and then adhering to those terms. In other words, say what we do then do what we say. Our membership deserves nothing less from the leadership.

We have to overcome the issues of the past and move forward. We must conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects positively on the membership and the labor movement. Having served this membership for the past four years has indeed been an honor for me. I never lost sight of the fact my actions reflect upon this union and I tried to always conduct myself in a professional manner that you could be proud of.

Moving forward, we must adhere to the values this movement was founded on. In addition to bargaining contracts and organizing, the leadership must build a movement that is true to the ideals and values of our membership. To do this, we must make integrity the light that guides us forward.

In Solidarity,

Mike