The new president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) provided updates on the union’s COVID situation Thursday (Aug. 26) night.

The group will operate under the UAW Constitution’s standing committees on Civil and Human Rights. UAW President Rory L. Gamble believes that the formation of the group was long overdue.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday intended to boost manufacturing jobs by strengthening U.S. supply chains for advanced batteries, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and semiconductors. There are 12.2 million manufacturing jobs in the United States, down from 17 million in 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. United Auto Workers (UAW) President Rory L. Gamble released a statement Wednesday calling this executive order an “important step”AdHere is Gamble’s full statement:‘The UAW is working with and supports President Biden in issuing his executive order on strategic supply chains which comes at a critical time for UAW members, retirees, and their families. The Biden Administration’s review of key U.S. supply chains, including semiconductor manufacturing, electric car batteries, medical supplies, and rare earth elements is an important step. Over the last year in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, our nation has repeatedly experienced the pitfalls of offshoring critical supply chains.

LIVONIA, Mich. – A Ford Livonia Transmission plant worker has died due to coronavirus (COVID-19), according to UAW President Rory L. Gamble. “Today, we also mourn the loss of a UAW brother from the Ford Livonia Transmission plant. On behalf of myself and the International Executive Board, our prayers and support go out to his family and friends,” Gamble said. He served this union tirelessly for decades, starting at the GM Fisher Body Plant 2 in Flint, Michigan. Today, we also mourn the loss of a UAW brother from the Ford Livonia Transmission plant.

DETROIT – Ruben Burks, the first African American International UAW Secretary-Treasurer, died Monday. Burks also helped the Flint community. In December 2017, Local 598 renamed its union hall Ruben Burks Hall to honor his decades of leadership. “Ruben Burks will always be here in spirit,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. He was full of wisdom and never stopped fighting for active and retired UAW members and all working people.”