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Sandy Welch, vice president at UAW Local 95 and a striking medical transcriptionist, said the effort aims to alleviate the burden on employees whose $500 weekly strike pay is, she said, in many cases falling short of covering essential living expenses.

Welch gestured around the room on Wednesday, indicating the limited items collected since the pantry opened on Tuesday.

“The strikers get their strike pay, but that only covers so much,” Welch explained. “We thought it would help. Everyone on strike can come here and get some food, allowing them to use their strike pay for bills.”

Welch said the idea for the pantry likely originated from union representatives, including Andrew Stark, and UAW Local 95 President Judy McRoberts, who both experienced similar initiatives during past strikes.

The pantry is accepting a wide range of donated items, including toiletries, non-perishable food, and even perishable goods like milk, eggs, and bread, as the UAW has refrigeration available.

Welch emphasized the importance of community support, highlighting its broader impact beyond immediate relief.

“Helping the strikers strengthens our community,” she stated. “What we’re striking for is security, better wages, and better health insurance. If we make more, that money goes into the community. So, I think it’s like a full circle.”

The community has already shown significant support, according to Welch, with donations of Gatorade, donuts, ice, water, and even pizzas dropped off at the picket line.

Food and toiletry donations can be brought to the UAW building collection point on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Non-perishable items can also be left at the union tent at the picket line, located at the Mercyhealth Clinic East, 3524 E. Milwaukee St.

The picket line has been operating Monday through Friday from 7 a.m to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Welch, a medical transcriptionist for nearly 25 years and a long-standing UAW member, reiterated the strikers’ desire to return to work. “All of us workers, all of us strikers, do want to get back to work,” she said. “We’re just waiting for Mercy to come back to the table. We’ve given them a proposal and are waiting to meet with them again. So, it’s just up to Mercy at this point.”

For more information or to make a strike fund contribution, contact UAW Local 95 at (608) 755-5120 or UAW Region 4. More information is also on the UAW Local 95 Facebook page.