ADVISORY: Striking Eaton Aerospace Workers to Hold Solidarity Walk Today

JACKSON – UAW Local 475 members at Eaton Aerospace will be holding a Solidarity Walk on the one-week anniversary of the beginning of their strike. Workers are calling for a fair contract that will preserve their right to retire, provide quality health care, and offer fair wages. 

“Eaton’s managers said they thought that we wouldn’t last the week. They didn’t understand the solidarity workers have with each other,” said Donnie Huffman, president of UAW Local 475. “We know that Eaton has made billions while demanding changes to our retirement and denying us quality health care. We’re united and we won’t back down until we win what is fair.”  

WHAT:     UAW Local 475 Solidarity Walk in Jackson, MI  
WHEN:     Monday, September 23, beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET  
WHERE:   Outside of the Eaton Aerospace Plant in Jackson, MI (300 S. East Ave, Jackson, MI)  
WHO:       Striking Eaton Aerospace workers and supportive community members 

After months of negotiations, last week approximately 525 UAW members last week walked out on strike at Eaton Aerospace, an aerospace factory in Jackson, Michigan that produces hydraulics equipment for civil, commercial, and military aircraft.  

Over the last decade, Eaton Aerospace has had a revenue of over $208 billion and a net income of $22 billion. In 2023 alone, the company had a net income of $3.2 billion, an increase of 31% from the year prior. Eaton paid its CEO $20.5 million in 2023, an increase of 46%. 

The Fortune 500 company has continued to push for a two-tier retirement system that would end the pension plan and 401(k) for all new hires by the end of the contract.  

“UAW members are not afraid to stand up for what we’re owed. We are fighting for each other and for our families,” said Lynann Bacon, an inspector who works at Eaton. “If Eaton’s executives want to not respect workers, we will hold them accountable.” 

“Eaton workers see the record profits and know it should mean a record contract,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “This corporation continues to funnel money to the top  and then ask workers to sacrifice more. Our members see through that and are demanding their fair share of the profits.”  

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