The United Auto Workers Strike continues and is targeted towards General Motors. Workers who are participating in the strike are setting out to end the pay divide that lies between temporary and permanent employees, increase job security, healthcare benefits and be compensated in a way that reflects the overall success of the company.
What We Know:
- On Monday, nearly 50,000 General Motors workers went on strike. This is the largest strike the country has seen since 2007, after the auto industry was bailed out and before the global financial crisis. It is being said that the strike of ’07 was political but this time around it is ‘serious’.
- Over the last decade, GM has increased its profits and within the last 3 years has grossed $35 billion.
- Fifty-five factories and parts warehouses are currently at a standstill due to the lack of hands on deck. The strike is predicted to cause GM to lose $50 million per day in revenue, but could be offset by the fact that they are not paying the striking workers.
- Ray Carter-Wilson, a single father striking at a Detroit-area plant, said surviving with a limited income during the strike is “very difficult.” But he’s ready for it to last a while.
- When asked if he stands with the auto workers who are striking against GM, President Trump says that “he has a great relationship with the auto workers and that he received many votes from them”. He goes on to say that “nobody has been better to the auto workers than me.”
- The United Auto Workers Union has asked General Motors to shift jobs and manufacturing from Mexico to the United States. GM has pledged to create more than 5,400 new jobs and invest $7 billion in the United States as part of its offer to the UAW.
The offer we presented to the UAW prioritizes employees, communities and builds a stronger future for all. It includes improved wages and health care benefits, over $7B in U.S. investments and 5,400 jobs. Let’s come together and secure our shared future: https://t.co/1QVtUokpis pic.twitter.com/Iss4S38Ozs
— General Motors (@GM) September 15, 2019
- Workers are paid $250 a week while participating in the strike. This means that workers who have bills, medical needs or families are struggling. GM cut health insurance for all striking workers, meaning they now have coverage from the UAW through the UAW’s strike-benefit fund.
Negotiations between the UAW Union and GM continue into its fourth day. Striking workers are aware of the risk that they are taking yet they are hopeful that this sacrifice will bring about change.
