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12:30 PM — Dispatch from the UAW Delegation Meeting

UAW President Dennis Williams addressed UAW delegates attending the 2016 Democratic National Convention, reminding them that there is a lot of misdirected anger in this country and that we need to unify as a union to ensure that Hillary Clinton becomes president and Donald Trump does not.

Williams said that there are a substantial number of UAW members who do not understand that a Trump presidency would cost UAW members their jobs and reduce their wages. Trump, he reminded delegates, advocates preventing auto jobs from going to Mexico by relocating them to the U.S. South at far lower wages.

He said those members considering voting for Trump might not realize how divisive the candidate is and that he will undermine middle-class with his notions of a lower-wage America.

“Is that the kind of president we want?” Williams said. “Do we want a president who divides our nation?”

Beyond electing Hillary Clinton, Williams said it was important to working families to turn the Senate back to Democratic control.

And once we do, we must hold them to the promises the candidates made when campaigning and continue pressure for progressive policies that help working families like saying no to the TPP, raising wages, and tackling the problem of racial discrimination

10:30 AM — Dispatch from the Michigan Delegation Breakfast

The first day of the 2016 Democratic National Convention got underway in Philadelphia today with UAW delegates in attendance and ready to get down to business. UAW members who are delegates attended various breakfasts this morning with their respective state delegations.

At the Michigan breakfast, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, addressed the delegation and was one of many female leaders talking about the history that will be made this week.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell talked about how dangerous a Donald Trump presidency would be, how he denigrates women, and the need for us not to be divided by fear and hatred.

Other speakers talked about how our nation cannot be run by a CEO and like a business. Michigan, delegates were told, is a perfect example of why not. Gov. Rick Snyder’s handling of the Flint water crisis, Detroit Public Schools’ problems, and Michigan roads were classic examples of government not working for people.

UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada also addressed the Michigan delegation. She spoke about the need to come together not just during the convention, but afterward as well.

“Our job is not over once we step out of the voting booth,” she said, urging delegates to continue the fight against income inequality, discrimination and bad trade deals like the TPP in their communities.

Delegates were expected to attend a labor caucus this afternoon and hear Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders address delegates from the convention floor tonight.