Because the UAW’s simultaneous strike in opposition to Ford, Common Motors, and Stellantis stretches into its second week, US President Joe Biden made a historic go to to employees on the picket line. He addressed UAW members at GM’s Willow Run redistribution heart west of Detroit, marking the primary time a president has made such a transfer whereas holding workplace.
“You guys, the UAW, you saved the auto trade again in 2008 and earlier than,” mentioned Biden, chatting with members of UAW Native 174 by way of bullhorn. “You made plenty of sacrifices, gave up so much when the businesses have been in bother. However now they’re doing extremely nicely. And guess what? You ought to be doing extremely nicely too.”
President Biden was joined by UAW President Shawn Fain, who’s been fairly vocal in current weeks relating to the phrases for which its members search to settle the strike. Talking to union members after Biden, he evoked the historical past of the previous Willow Run meeting plant, the place B-24 Liberator bombers have been constructed throughout World Struggle II.
“At the moment, the enemy isn’t some international nation miles away. It’s proper right here in our personal space. It’s company greed,” he mentioned. “And the weapon we produce to struggle that enemy is the liberators, the true liberators; it’s the working class folks, all of you working your butts off on these strains to ship an awesome product for our firm. That’s how we’re going to defeat these folks, that’s how we’re going to defeat company greed, is by standing collectively.”
In accordance with Automotive Information, the UAW is looking for a 36 % improve in wages inside 90 days, the elimination of various tiers for employees, and a cutback of non permanent employees who’re sometimes paid much less. The union additionally seeks restoration of defined-benefit pensions and extra time without work for employees, which features a proposed 32-hour work week. So far, automakers have proposed a 20-percent improve in wages over 4 years, with various levels of tiers, extra trip time, and 401 (ok)contributions.
That is the primary simultaneous strike in opposition to Ford, GM, and Chrysler (now a part of Stellantis) within the UAW’s historical past. Initially beginning with walkouts at three manufacturing crops, the strike has expanded to 38 elements crops for GM and Stellantis. Citing some progress in talks with Ford, the UAW hasn’t expanded its strike past the automaker’s Michigan plant the place the Bronco is constructed.
Motor1.com reached out to representatives at Ford, Stellantis, and Common Motors for a touch upon Biden’s go to. So far, solely Stellantis has responded.
On the primary day of the strike, President Biden mentioned UAW employees “deserve a contract that sustains them and the center class.” We agree and introduced a file provide.
Listed below are the details: 21.4 % compounded wage improve together with a ten % improve at ratification, $1 Billion in retirement safety advantages, inflation safety measure, job safety and extra. Not like the non-unionized transplants and EV startups who comprise nearly all of the U.S. market, Stellantis depends on the collaboration between administration and labor to make sure that our firm stays aggressive and, subsequently, sustainable.
That could be a place we have now proudly embraced. But it surely additionally requires a balanced settlement that pretty rewards our workforce for his or her contribution to our success, with out considerably disadvantaging Stellantis in opposition to our non-union opponents. We stand able to signal a file contract that positions our firm to proceed offering good jobs right here at dwelling and be the winner because the U.S. transitions to an electrified future.
We’ll add extra automaker statements as they grow to be out there.
