Members of the United Auto Workers union recently organized a rally and picket near a Stellantis plant in Detroit on August 23, 2023. This is just one example of workers across various industries taking a strong stance and demanding higher pay and improved quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with increased company profits, inflation, high approval ratings for labor unions, and a growing pay gap between workers and executives, has emboldened workers to fight for better compensation and working conditions.
Some workers, such as those in the UPS union, have successfully negotiated record labor deals after threatening to go on strike. Other workers have resorted to strikes to achieve their goals. For example, workers at key Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems went on strike in June and eventually reached a deal with the company. Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike for over 100 days.
These recent strikes and contract negotiations follow the organizing efforts of workers across the country that began before the pandemic. Companies ranging from Amazon and Starbucks to airlines and automakers have been affected by these labor actions.
According to data from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, more than 320,000 workers have participated in at least 230 strikes so far in 2023, surpassing the numbers from 2022. There have been 16 major strikes involving 1,000 or more workers this year, compared to the high of 25 in 2019 and 23 in 2022.
These actions have generated greater support for organized labor among Americans. In 2022, Gallup reported a 71% approval rating for labor unions, the highest since 1965.
Looking ahead, the United Auto Workers is currently in the midst of national contract negotiations for nearly 150,000 workers with General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis. The deadline for reaching a contract agreement is fast approaching.
Workers have seen significant victories through their strikes and negotiations. The UAW, for example, secured double-digit wage gains, pension improvements, and restoration of cost-of-living adjustments after strikes against companies like Deere and CNH Industrial.
Workers in various industries, from UPS to pilots at Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, have also achieved significant contract wins. These wins have been facilitated by factors such as the leverage gained from a pilot shortage in the airline industry.
Workers in Hollywood, including writers and actors, are also demanding higher wages and better working conditions. They are pushing for increased backend payouts tied to the success of streaming, better compensation throughout the production process, and improved health and pension benefits.
Beyond higher pay, workers are also seeking an improvement in their quality of life, especially in light of the challenging working conditions during the pandemic. Issues such as minimum staffing requirements, better working conditions, and health and pension benefits are key concerns for workers in the entertainment industry. Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence in the industry is also a matter of contention.
The negotiations between unions and companies continue, with the hope of reaching fair and just contracts. Workers are hopeful that these negotiations will not only result in better pay but also in the reshaping of their jobs to provide a healthier work-life balance and more control over their schedules.
Overall, the current labor actions and negotiations reflect the changing dynamics between workers and companies. Workers are demanding their fair share of the profits and seeking improved conditions that reflect their contributions to the success of the companies they work for.
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