Nik Gjonaj, Republican candidate for Oakland County Executive, expressed his support for UAW Local 889 in their negotiations with Oakland County for a pay raise to keep up with the cost of living. Gjonaj, who grew up in a UAW household, empathizes with the hardworking employees facing challenges in their contract discussions. He has reached out to the UAW to seek their endorsement and initiate a meeting to address the issues at hand.
During a recent Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting, a significant number of UAW members voiced concerns about the disparities in negotiations between the County and Local 889. The rising expenses in Oakland County, with a 49% increase in spending and a 44% increase in taxes over six years, have left employees feeling neglected as their paychecks fail to keep pace with the 20% inflation seen since 2019. Gjonaj criticized decisions such as the costly move of 700 employees from the L. Brooks Patterson Executive Office Building to downtown Pontiac, costing an estimated $140 million, as evidence of wasteful spending under the current County Executive, Dave Coulter.
As a candidate for County Executive, Gjonaj pledges to prioritize the needs of hardworking employees by reallocating funds from unnecessary programs like the move to Pontiac towards fair compensation that aligns with inflation rates and upholds their rightful benefits. He promises to work collaboratively with the UAW to ensure that employees are adequately compensated without compromising other essential services. Gjonaj aims to eliminate unnecessary spending and address the concerns of workers who feel marginalized by the current administration’s financial decisions.
To learn more about Nik Gjonaj’s stance on supporting UAW Local 889 and his plans for addressing employee compensation issues in Oakland County, please contact Steve Mitchell at 248-891-2414. Join us in advocating for fair treatment and equitable pay for the dedicated individuals who drive our community forward.
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