Auto Workers Fight for Restoring Jobs to Gold-Standard Careers Amidst Unprecedented Strike
DETROIT, Mich. and TOLEDO, Ohio
As the “Big 3” automakers face their first simultaneous strike in history, auto workers — from seasoned veterans to fresh hires — are determined to restore their jobs to the esteemed working-class careers of previous generations. With wages in the industry dropping nearly 20% since 2008, adjusted for inflation, workers are demanding to reclaim the pay and benefits that were once the norm.
During the UAW’s 88-year history, there has never been a strike like this. The union leadership is currently negotiating new four-year contracts with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep. Workers are adamant about overturning the concessions made in the past, which included lower wages for new employees and the elimination of defined-benefit pension plans that their parents and grandparents enjoyed.
“We gave up a lot. I feel like they owe me,” said Kenyon Reed, a paint shop worker at GM’s Factory ZERO. Reed, who attended a recent rally in downtown Detroit, is ready to rally behind the union’s call if the strike expands.
Working in the auto industry has always been seen as a pathway to the middle class, thanks to the efforts of the UAW. However, due to the rise of foreign-based automakers and concessions made to stabilize the “Big 3” after the financial crisis, the job is not what it used to be. The introduction of a tiered system, a shift away from pensions, and stagnant wages have all contributed to the decline in living standards for auto workers.
The impact of declining wages among UAW workforces has extended beyond just the union, affecting the broader auto manufacturing sector as well. Non-union foreign-owned competitors have also seen suppressed pay, creating a ripple effect across the industry.
The striking workers, such as Chanelle Hardy and Montrice Mahan, want the contract negotiations to result in fairer wages and improved working conditions. Hardy, who comes from a family of auto workers, expressed disappointment in the starting wage as a temp employee. Mahan, another temp at the Jeep plant, emphasized that the quality of the contract will ultimately determine his decision to stay or leave.
Winning back concessions from previous negotiations is notoriously difficult for unions. The “Big 3” have argued that the union’s demands for higher pay and the reinstatement of inflation adjustments and pensions would be financially unsustainable and hinder their electric vehicle transition. However, workers point to the billions of dollars in profits the companies have made over the years as evidence that they can afford to meet their demands.
Shawn Fain, the new president of the UAW, has framed the strike as a larger battle for middle-class jobs. Departing from the traditional approach of negotiating one contract at a time, Fain has decided to bargain and strike all three companies simultaneously. Negotiations are ongoing, but if an agreement is not reached, the strikes may expand to more facilities.
The militant stance of the union leadership has garnered support from workers like Kenyon Reed, who views the strike strategy as a game of chess rather than checkers. Reed believes that the striking workers have captured the attention of the world and are making a powerful statement.
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