Alabama House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen addressed the Business Council of Alabama on Tuesday regarding the looming UAW threat to Alabama’s “crown jewel” industry.
During his remarks, Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) drew on personal experience to illustrate the severity of the situation currently confronting the automotive manufacturing industry within the state.
“I truly feel passionate about this,” Stadthagen said. “Last year, I talked kind of about how I was raised. I was raised by a single mom who worked in the factory. Shift work my whole entire life. So, I know exactly what it takes to be successful with hard work.”
Stadthagen spoke more in depth of his mother’s inspirational work ethic.
“Watching my mom work the way she did. Knowing what she went through working shift work, working nights, working day times, trying to get her kids through school,” he said. “She wanted to live the American Dream. Wanted to provide for her family. Have a roof over our head and food on the table for my sister and I.”
Stadthagen gave credit to those in attendance who have continued to bring about the economic growth the state now prospers from.
“This organization, BCA, Manufacturing Alabama, almost everybody in this room has contributed to the success of our pro-business state. Decades and decades of hard work to get us where we are today.”
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He said that UAW is trying to manipulate Alabama workers.
“UAW comes in and sees us and tries to take advantage of the opportunities of the hard working Alabamians that this room has created. UAW comes in and gives these hard working Alabamians, the dream of something that is not going to happen. But what they are doing is taking advantage of them.”
“They’re going to make empty promises that they can’t keep,” declared Stadthagen. “They’re going to make them a part of something and actually take from them instead of give.”
“Let’s think about that for a minute. They’re going to take something from our Alabama workers and not give. At the end of the day it’s nothing but smoke and destruction.”
The House Majority leader said he plans to continue the push back against UAW’s organizing efforts in Alabama.
“All of our hard work that this association has done over the decades-gone,” Stadthagen said. “That’s what we’re facing. That’s how serious it is.”
“I will stand on the rooftops and fight for it and I will not back down.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
