Rodney Cornett woke up early on Friday at 4:30 a.m., hopped into his F-150 pickup truck, and arrived at the Ford Motor plant in Wayne, near Detroit, for his morning shift. However, instead of heading to his usual axle assembly area, 56-year-old Cornett joined a dozen co-workers on the picket line at Gate 1 for six hours. This strike was called by the United Auto Workers (U.A.W.) the previous night, as they have been negotiating a new labor contract with the three major automakers in Detroit.
Cornett, a veteran union member with 28 years of experience at Ford, expressed his frustration with the lack of substantial raises over the past 15 years. Holding a sign that read “Fair Pay Now!”, he argued that the company’s record profits contradict their claims of financial hardship. He emphasized the need for change, stating, “It can’t be the status quo.”
The strike initiated at midnight, simultaneously affecting all three manufacturers — General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. However, the U.A.W. strategically limited the stoppages to one plant at each company. In Wayne, only the assembly area and paint shop workers went on strike, resulting in the factory’s shutdown.
The strike, although confined to specific plants, will undoubtedly impact the automakers, particularly due to the affected vehicles being highly popular and profitable. Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant produces the Bronco and is preparing for the new Ranger pickup, while Jeep manufactures its Gladiator and Wrangler models in Toledo. The G.M. plant in Wentzville produces the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups.
Shawn Fain, the U.A.W.’s president, hinted at the possibility of extending the strike to additional plants. In a Facebook video on Thursday night, Fain highlighted the potential leverage and confusion it would create for the companies.
Soon after midnight, Fain joined the workers outside the Ford plant in Wayne. While the union paused discussions with the companies for a day, they anticipated the talks to resume on Saturday. One of the union’s key demands is a 40% wage increase over the next four years, reflecting the pay gains of the three CEOs over the same period.
In addition to wage increases, the U.A.W.’s demands include ending the pay scale discrepancy between new hires and veterans, providing health insurance for retirees, increasing paid time off, and offering pensions alongside 401(k) savings accounts for retirement.
However, the companies have only offered wage increases of approximately 20% and have rejected most of the union’s other requests.
At the Ford plant, several strikers emphasized the necessity for a 30% or greater raise to compensate for previous concessions made during the 2007-8 financial crisis. Jason Vinson, a forklift driver, shared his experience of being laid off and then rehired at a lower rate. He stressed the need for a substantial raise given the plant’s profitability and the sacrifices made in the past.
Dressed in red T-shirts, the strikers waved placards and received honks of support from passing motorists. They work in six-hour shifts, with each union member participating in one shift per week.
To support the striking workers, the union will utilize its strike fund of $825 million, providing them with $500 per week and covering their health insurance premiums. However, some workers still face financial challenges.
Diana Osborne, an assembly worker with 16 years of experience at Ford, mentioned cutting off her cable TV as a means of coping with the strike’s financial impact. She even noted that her daughter, who recently enlisted in the National Guard, offered to lend her money if necessary.
Meanwhile, Rodney Cornett expressed concerns about affording his son’s college education, despite earning $32 per hour. With rising property taxes and gas prices, he believes ending the tiered wage system is crucial. Cornett argued that newer workers should be paid the same amount as veterans since they face similar challenges and perform the same labor-intensive tasks.
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