Detroit Unions Walk the Picket Lines Against Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Three Detroit Casinos

Detroit Casino workers on strike. | Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Detroit Casino workers walk the picket line on Wed. Oct. 18, 2023. | Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Detroit workers mobilize and strike for a living wage. | Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

Detroit casino signs carried through downtown

Detroit UAW Local 2500 strikers against Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Wed. Oct. 18, 2023. | Abayomi Azikiwe, Pan-African News Wire

By Fighting Words Staff

These photographs were taken during the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 18, 2023 as thousands of workers are on strike for a living wage in Detroit.

UAW Local 2500, representing over 1000 healthcare insurance workers, have been on strike since September 13.

Joining them this week are 3,700 casino workers represented by five unions: UNITE HERE!, UAW Local 7777, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Union of Operating Engineers and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights.

These strikes are an integral part of the labor upsurge sweeping the United States over the last several months.

The UAW International, also based in Detroit, has been engaged in an unprecedented “Stand Up Strike” against Stellantis, Ford and General Motors involving tens of thousands of workers since September 15, 2023.