DETROIT (WWJ) - A Detroit foundation and Detroit City Council member are partnering to give UAW strikers gas cards as a show of support, the group said.
The Horatio Williams Foundation and Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield will give the gas cards to striking auto, casino and Blue Cross Blue Shield workers on October 24.
Horatio Williams, founder of the Horatio Williams Foundation, said UAW members have shown support for the organization and the community in the past, and now they have the opportunity to give back.
"UAW workers are like family to me,” Williams said. “They have supported our nonprofit and helped us generate lots of goodwill in the community. I want to give back to them during their time of need."
The giveaways will take place at 10 a.m. at UAW Local 900 in Wayne, 12 p.m. at Motor City Casino in Detroit and 1 p.m. at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Detroit.
“The courage and sacrifice UAW workers displayed when they decided to stand up and strike is something most workers will never understand but will also benefit from as a result,” Sheffield said. “So, we all owe our brave sisters and brothers a debt of gratitude. For me, it was an easy decision to partner on providing gas card donations to striking UAW members as a small token of my appreciation and symbol of my support for their struggle.”
Williams said the gas cards are a way of helping striking workers with an everyday expense.
“The donation of gas cards is a practical way to assist UAW workers who are facing financial challenges due to the strike,” Williams said. “These gas cards will help them meet their daily commuting needs as they continue their fight for a fair and just working environment.”
The Horatio Foundation offers support to underserved youth in the inner city.
This comes as the strike is into is sixth week, with more than 40,000 workers now on picket lines after a surprise walkout at Stellantis' Sterling Heights Assembly Plant Monday morning.
MORE: More than 40,000 UAW members now on strike, with surprise walkout in Sterling Heights Monday