Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Two Michigan Auto Supply Chains Join UAW

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

In the span of 24 hours, workers at Ground Effects and Webasto Detroit both voted in National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections to join the UAW.

Ground Effects workers make spray-on truck bedliners, in addition to other aftermarket parts and customizations, while members who work for Webasto Detroit produce hard top roofs, primarily for the Ford Bronco. Both sets of auto supply workers came together in their respective facilities to organize for a fair voice on the job.

“I’m thrilled we finally won our union. I’ve worked at Webasto for many years. We’re overworked and underpaid. We’re the ones who make money for the company. For too long, we’ve gotten nothing but disrespect from management. I’m ready for some mutual respect,” said Shara Bell, a quality technician for Webasto Detroit.

“Ground Effects workers just showed what courage and determination can do,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “These workers stood together and stood strong against the underhanded anti-union tactics coming from the boss and their hired guns. Now, Ground Effects workers will have the right to sit with management as equals and negotiate a contract that gives them the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/07/2026 - 08:43

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association

This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association (PWHLPA).

Name of Union: Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association

Mission: The PWHLPA strives to protect the rights and well-being of all PWHL players, on and off the ice. Led by the collective voice of the players and their interests, the union is committed to the advancement of the league and the opportunities it creates. Together the players aim to leave the game better than they found it for future generations.

Current Leadership of Union: Laura Stacey serves as president, Lee Stecklein serves as vice president, Savannah Harmon serves as treasurer, and Hayleigh Cudmore serves as secretary. Malaika Underwood serves as executive director. Each team elects a player representative.

Current Number of Members: 184 from the United States, Canada and Europe

Members Work As: Professional hockey players

Industries Represented: Professional sports

History: In 2019, players walked away from existing professional leagues and formed the precursor to their current union. Under the umbrella of that initial association, those players trained and organized their own competitions independently for multiple years. As part of that effort, they advocated for a viable, professional league with proper investment, resources, infrastructure and labor standards. They were not simply asking for opportunity. They were demanding sustainability and dignity. When the PWHLPA was ultimately established in 2023, the players brought with them years of collective action experience. They understood that if the PWHL was going to be a success, their voice must always be heard.

Before the first puck ever dropped, the players organized the PWHLPA and they negotiated and ratified a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), making the PWHL the first professional women’s sports league in North America to have a CBA in place before its inaugural game.

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The PWHLPA works to strengthen the future of professional women’s hockey through player advocacy, education and leadership. Current efforts include supporting professional standards across the league, certifying and regulating contract and marketing agents who work with PWHL players, and helping ensure players are equipped to make an impact both within their communities and across the sport.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, Instagram, X

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/06/2026 - 12:31