More Than 12,000 Workers Strike at Big Three Automakers in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri
Posted by Valaurian Waller for The Washington Post | September 15, 2023
More than 12,000 workers are currently on strike at the Big Three automakers in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. This strike, which began on September 15, 2023, at 7:11 p.m. EDT, has been initiated by members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union who are employed by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.
The UAW Ford workers cite insufficient wages that make it difficult to support their families and secure their futures as the primary reason for their strike. Kevin Ewald, a Ford employee with almost three decades of experience, emphasizes the need for higher pay for newer colleagues who perform physically demanding work.
The union has demanded a 36 percent wage increase for workers over a span of four years, stating that their wages have not kept up with inflation. Currently, full-time workers make approximately $18 to $32 an hour, while the CEOs of the Big Three companies each earned over $20 million in overall compensation last year. These figures are being used by the union to justify their demand for higher wages. Additionally, the UAW is advocating for an end to the tiered employment system, which results in lower pay and reduced benefits for newer workers. The automakers have countered by offering significant wage increases, but claim that meeting all of the union’s demands would compromise their financial viability.
The automotive industry has been a crucial pillar of the economy in Detroit and its neighboring areas for many years. The striking UAW workers come from families with a strong generational connection to the auto industry. As a result, they possess a deep appreciation for automobiles, with many of them recalling the memories of owning their first cars.
In an effort to gain insight into the motivations behind the strike, we reached out to some of the workers participating in the picket lines. Here are a few of their perspectives:
Romulus, Mich. | Assembly Line Worker
- Time at Ford: 3.5 years
- Pay: $24/hr
- First car: Mercury Cougar
Robbins, a worker with a three-year-old son, initially had concerns about potential layoffs instead of participating in this historic strike. “I’m just trying to take care of my family,” she said. She aspires to build a better future through her job but laments the need to take on additional employment to make ends meet. Robbins expresses frustration, stating, “We work at Ford but can’t even afford to drive the cars we make.”
Ypsilanti, Mich. | Ford Driver
- Time at Ford: 28 years
- Salary: $32/hr
- First car: Ford Gran Torino
Ewald, who has served the company for 28 years, participates in the strike to advocate for newer autoworkers affected by the tiered payment system. He stresses that the physically demanding nature of the work warrants fair compensation, particularly for those earning a starting wage of $16.70 per hour. Ewald reflects on the importance of recognizing the union’s limits and states, “We have our limits too.”
Jackson, Mich. | Ford Production Team Member
- Years at Ford: 1 year and 9 months
- Salary: $19.10/hr
- First car: Oldsmobile 98
Dearborn, Mich. | Ford Assembly Line Worker
- Time at Ford: 1 month
- Salary: $16.67 /hr
- First car: Ford Taurus
Jomaa, a new employee at Ford, voices concerns regarding her financial situation. She works an additional job as an aesthetician to support her family and expresses worry for colleagues who lack supplemental income. Despite working long hours and juggling multiple jobs, she feels that her current pay of $16 per hour is inadequate, especially when raising children.
Westland, Mich. | Ford Repair Man
- Time at Ford: 29 years
- Salary: $32/hr
- First car: Ford Escort
Williams, who comes from a family of autoworkers, believes that wages have not kept pace with inflation. He expresses a desire for workers to earn enough to afford their own homes, emphasizing the importance of supporting retirees who have contributed to the industry. Williams remarks, “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Detroit | Ford Assembly Line Worker
- Time at Ford: 4 months
- Salary: $16.67/hr
- First car: Chevy Cruze
Thompson, a relatively new employee at Ford, hopes for a swift resolution to the strike. However, she feels compelled to fight for cost-of-living wage increases as expenses continue to rise. Thompson expresses her primary motivation, saying, “I’m just here for the money.”
Livonia, Mich. | Ford Body and Stamping Work
- Time at Ford: 49.5 years
- Salary: $32.56/hr (started at $4.35 in 1974)
- First car: 1969 Pontiac LeMans
Kanowski, who has dedicated nearly five decades of his life to Ford, questions the security of his and his colleagues’ positions at the company. He recalls the opportunities he received as a young employee and believes that newer workers deserve the same chances. Kanowski feels that the treatment of workers during the Great Recession was justified but believes that the current profitability of the industry warrants fair compensation.
Redford, Mich. | Ford Classified Inspector
- Time at Ford: 12 years
- Salary: $32 per hour
- First car: GM Saturn
Shaniell Davis pickets outside a car manufacturing plant in Detroit on Sept. 15. (Video: Rich Matthews/TWP)
Shaniell Davis, a Ford classified inspector at the company for 12 years, shares her perspective on the strike, highlighting the need for better wages to meet the rising costs of living, especially when raising a family. She emphasizes the importance of adequate compensation for the employees.
This strike by United Auto Workers (UAW) union members has generated significant attention due to the widespread impact on the automotive industry. As negotiations between the union and the Big Three automakers continue, the future of thousands of workers and the automotive landscape remains uncertain.
Edited by Karly Domb Sadof, Haley Hamblin, and John Farrell.
United Auto Workers Strike
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