Local Labor Leaders, Workers Host “Workers for Sherrod” Tour Stop in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Today, UAW Local 1112 President George Goranitis, BLET Vice Chairman of The Ohio State Legislative Board Sam Schatz, CWA Local 4320 member Renee Rouser, and Vice President of the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO Central Labor Council Jose Arroyo hosted a “Workers for Sherrod” statewide tour stop in Youngstown.

The “Workers for Sherrod” statewide tour is highlighting Sherrod’s record delivering for Ohio workers and fighting for the Dignity of Work, the belief that hard work should pay off for everyone, with stops across Ohio. Ohio workers are lining up behind Sherrod, citing his fight to save the pensions of over 100,000 Ohio workers and his commitment to making sure every family has a path to the middle class.

“No one has fought harder for Ohio auto workers than Sherrod Brown – he is making sure the next generation of American-made vehicles are built here in Ohio, by Ohio workers,” said UAW Local 1112 President George Goranitis. “When GM announced the closure of the Lordstown plant, Sherrod stood with the Mahoning Valley and did everything he could to protect good-paying jobs.” 

“Ohio workers are proud to support Sherrod Brown for reelection this November. Time and again, he has stood shoulder to shoulder with us and he has always been a steadfast champion for the dignity of every worker,” said BLET Vice Chairman of The Ohio State Legislative Board Sam Schatz. “Right now, he is working across the aisle to pass the Railway Safety Act to prevent future train derailments across Ohio and keep railway workers safe.”

“I have witnessed firsthand how Sherrod’s efforts to protect call centers and retain jobs in Ohio directly impact our families and communities, creating opportunities for the middle class. Sherrod introduced the U.S. Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act because he understands that it is crucial that call centers are filled with skilled U.S. workers rather than outsourced abroad, where workers earn poverty wages,” said CWA Local 4320 member Renee Rouser.

“Over the next 100 days, workers in Ohio will be doing everything we can to re-elect the most pro-worker Senator in the U.S. Senate. We never have to wonder about where Sherrod stands: he always stands with Ohio workers,” said Vice President of the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO Central Labor Council Jose Arroyo.

Please find photos of the Workers For Sherrod event for media use here.

Sherrod has always fought for workers and the Dignity of Work to make sure hard work pays off for everyone:

• Sherrod pressured GM to keep the Lordstown auto plant open by rallying with workers, demanding the CEO reconsider, and working across the aisle in Congress to try to bring a new production line to the plant and save the jobs in the Mahoning Valley.
• Sherrod worked to pass the American Rescue Plan and ensured millions of dollars were invested in manufacturing hubs like ‘America Makes’ in Youngstown.

• Sherrod wrote and passed the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan bill to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl into Youngstown and Ohio communities across the state.

• Sherrod introduced the Railway Safety Act to hold railway corporations accountable and protect Ohio workers after derailments across Ohio.
• Sherrod introduced the U.S. Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act to protect call center jobs in Youngstown and in Ohio from being shipped overseas.
• Sherrod championed the Affordable Connectivity Program to make high speed internet more accessible for Ohioans and to support workers in the Mahoning Valley.
• Sherrod condemned the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) ruling on tariffs after pushing them to extend anti-dumping policies and protect Steubenville steelworkers and Ohio’s steel industry from unfair trade practices.
• Sherrod led efforts to reject three proposed EPA regulations that would harm Ohio’s steelworkers and steel industry.
• Sherrod worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with prevailing wage requirements, creating good-paying jobs for workers in the trades across Ohio rebuilding our infrastructure.
• Sherrod introduced the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act to expand pension and family leave benefits and give part-time workers more control over their schedule.
• Sherrod has always stood up against bad trade deals like NAFTA that shipped Ohio jobs overseas and is fighting to make sure workers have a seat at the table for all trade agreements.
• Sherrod introduced the Restoring Overtime Pay Act to enshrine overtime pay protections into law and expand who qualifies for overtime pay so millions more Americans are paid for the hours they work.
• Sherrod is also working to grow the next generation of Ohio workers by organizing summer manufacturing camps across Ohio, including in the Mahoning Valley, that give young people an opportunity to learn about a future in the industry.

Click here to read more about the “Workers for Sherrod” coalition.

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