UAW

President Fain on Facebook Live: Big Three’s Record Profits Mean Record Contracts

jmayhugh — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:43:56 +0000

President Shawn Fain met with UAW members on Facebook Live last night and laid out the Members’ Demands in Big Three bargaining. UAW members are thinking big and the Big Three can afford it. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis made a combined $21 billion in profits in just the first six months of this year. That’s on top of the quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits that the Big Three made over the last decade. “Record profits mean record contracts,” Fain said. In past negotiations, the UAW’s core contract demands have been called the President’s Demands and the union’s president often delivered them to the company behind closed doors without even our elected National Negotiators present. This year, President Fain shared them directly with the members on Facebook Live. Here are the Members’ Demands (download the PDF): ELIMINATE TIERS – It’s wrong to make any worker second class. We can’t allow it any longer in the UAW. The Teamsters ended tiers at UPS. We’re going to end tiers at the Big Three. SUBSTANTIAL WAGE INCREASES – Yes, we’re demanding double-digit pay raises. Big Three CEOs saw their pay spike 40 percent on average over the last four years. We know our members are worth the same and more. RESTORE COLA – It’s Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) that made sure working-class communities thrived for decades. Taking that away hammered us and our hometowns. It must be restored. DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION FOR ALL WORKERS – All workers deserve the retirement security that UAW members had for generations. RE-ESTABLISH RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS – That’s just as essential as a solid pension. RIGHT TO STRIKE OVER PLANT CLOSURES – The Big Three have closed 65 plants over the last 20 years. That’s been as devastating for our hometowns as it has been for us. We have to have the right to defend our communities from the corporate greed that’s killing so many cities and towns. WORKING FAMILY PROTECTION PROGRAM – It’s a program that keeps UAW members on the job. If companies try to flee our hometowns, they’ll have to pay UAW members to do community-service work. Companies can still make a healthy profit and it’ll keep our communities healthy, too. END ABUSE OF TEMP WORKERS – We are going to end the abuse of temps. Our fight at the Big Three is a fight for every worker. MORE PAID TIME OFF TO BE WITH FAMILIES – Our members are working 60, 70, even 80 hours a week just to make ends meet. That’s not living. It’s barely surviving and it needs to stop. SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE RETIREE PAY – We owe our retirees everything. They built these companies and they built our union. We will not forget them in these negotiations.

Join the Fight for the Members' Demands! Sign the Support Card to get bargaining updates and the latest news on actions you can take to win a strong contract.

UAW Local 997 Strikes Thombert to Protect Standard of Living, Improve Work-Life Balance

jmayhugh — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 17:06:43 +0000

On Tuesday, August 1, 84 members of Local 997 went on strike at Thombert, Inc. in Newton, IA, after the company refused to bargain until just a week before the current collective bargaining agreement was set to expire on July 24. Workers at Thombert produce polyurethane wheels for electric forklifts. They are fighting for fair wages and healthcare costs, a better work-life balance, and to maintain the current Accident and Sickness benefits which currently begin on day one of a claim. The company is proposing that Accident and Sickness benefits should begin on the eighth day instead. "We brought the company's offer to the members, and it received a 90% NO vote,” said Local 997 President Steve Wertz. "I didn't want to go on strike but there is no movement from the company, even after the proposal was voted down by 90%,” said Local 997 member, Jason Wickman. “There is a disconnect with management. The company is waiting to see if we crack and cross the line. We're together. Solidarity is shining through.” “Members all over Region 4, and the entire UAW stand with our UAW family at Local 997 in Newton, IA, while they fight to improve their work-life balance, amongst other things, against the all too typical greedy corporate bosses,” Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell stated. “Even with 150,000 of our members in the Big-3 nearing their contract deadline, members at workplaces of all sectors and all sizes have the full support of the UAW and Region 4. Our members demand, and will win, dignity for the work they do. When all the forces of the labor movement are pushing in the same direction, we will not be stopped!” UAW President Shawn Fain acknowledged Local 997 members’ fight on his Facebook Live Tuesday evening: “Just this afternoon, our members who make forklift wheels and tires at Thombert in Newton, Iowa, went on strike. They’re members of Local 997, Unit 8. All of us understand the issues they are striking for: fair wages so they can support their families, vacation time so they can be with their families, short-term disability benefits, and shift rotations that every factory worker deserves.”

NO LIMITS!

drochon — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:30:00 +0000

UAW members are fired up and ready to win a historic contract. We've been going to contract action trainings at Local halls and Regional offices all across our union.

Get the Stellantis Flyer Pushing Back Against Management

cskelly — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 19:27:47 +0000

On Facebook Live Today, UAW President Shawn Fain called out Stellantis for breaking their promise in bargaining. Stellantis told the media they “are not seeking a concessionary agreement.” But their proposals include all sorts of concessions. They want to:

Add additional tiers
Threaten profit-sharing even as the CEO’s pay has jumped 72%
Cuts to our existing medical coverage
No new product on the table for Belvidere, holding the rest of our jobs and communities hostage to possible plant closures.
AND MORE…

Download the leaflet we’re passing out at plants to push back against Stellantis’ propaganda.

VIDEO: Legal Aid Society Workers in NYC Hold Informational Picket, Demand Management Stop Stalling Negotiations

jmayhugh — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 17:37:55 +0000

New York City - On Thursday August 3rd, members of the Legal Aid Society chapter of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (UAW Local 2325) held an informational lunchtime picket across all five boroughs of New York City. The picket was organized by the chapter’s Contract Action Team (CAT). Legal Aid Society ALAA members took to the picket line to voice their frustrations over bargaining and record attrition of their members. An unprecedented number of attorneys have left the Legal Aid Society in recent years due to stagnant wages, inflation, student debt, and rising cost of living. All the while, Management has failed to recruit new staff. Those members who remain are facing crushing caseloads as they struggle to provide world-class legal representation to the most vulnerable New Yorkers in criminal, family, housing, and immigration courts. "We're really fighting for basic human dignity, a fair wage, autonomy to do our job," said Olga Karounos, a criminal defense attorney at Legal Aid. "We're not just fighting for our lawyers, but for our clients themselves." The chapter has been bargaining with management since September 2022 and is still without a contract. Management has failed to come to the union with any substantive economic offer to meet the union’s primary demand of significant base salary increases. In addition to fighting for salaries, LAS chapter members are advocating for reasonable caseload caps for our members representing clients in Housing Court and for flexible working conditions. “This can't be tolerated – it's an untenable and unsustainable position for all the attorneys,” said Atusa Mozaffari, a housing attorney with the Legal Aid Society. “Hopefully, as contract negotiations continue, our voices will be heard, and we'll get the things we deserve.”

cskelly

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).
8000 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48214. uaw.org

Despite Challenges of Strike, Local 997 Members Remain Committed to Helping Community

jmayhugh — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:53:24 +0000

NEWTON, IA - As UAW Local 997 members continue to walk the picket line on strike against Thombert in Newton, Iowa, they still make sure to find the time to give back to their local community. While picketing last week, strikers were thinking of ways they could help out local residents. “One of the workers on strike has a son who owns a lawn mowing business,” said Local 997 member, David Davidson, who has worked at Thombert for almost four years. “His son offered to let us use his equipment if we wanted to help these folks mow their lawns. We thought, ‘we’re already out here, why wouldn’t we?’” Several local members spent the day mowing and cleaning up the yards in the neighborhood.

Region 4 Assistant Director, Lucas DeSpain, said he wasn’t surprised when he heard about strikers' efforts. “Local 997 members have a lot of community support,” he noted. “And much of that is because of their work within the community, which continues to date.”

MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT STRIKING UAW LOCAL 997 MEMBERS

Thombert is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of polyurethane wheels and tires for narrow aisle lift trucks. Local 997 members have been on strike since August 1. They are striking for fair wages and to stop the company from attempting to implement higher healthcare costs. Thombert is proposing that Accident and Sickness benefits for workers begin on the eighth day of a claim instead of the first day, as is the current practice. Local President, Steve Wertz, said the current policy has been in effect since 1991. Work-life balance is also a major issue at the company. Workers have been forced to work six days a week every other weekend for years. “That kind of schedule ends up taking its toll on you,” Davidson said. Local 997 President, Steve Wertz, said that seeing how committed his members are to each other and to the community during the strike only reinforces his belief in the power of solidarity. “This membership is out there 24/7, walking this line for a fair contract and I could not be more proud of them,” Wertz remarked. “I really mean that. They are a solid group of Brothers and Sisters and they are paving the way for the younger generation. “ UAW President, Shawn Fain, praised the actions of Local 997 members on a recent Facebook Live event: “Even as they’re fighting cutbacks in vacation time and disability benefits, they’re cutting the lawns of their neighbors. Solidarity is the foundation of our union and service to the community is at our core. The Thombert strikers of Local 997, Unit 8, are proving it.” Davidson stated that strikers know the support of the community will be crucial during the fight against Thombert and that residents have already played a big part in helping the strike. “The people in this neighborhood are standing behind us, bringing us supplies, allowing us to set up tents for shelter on their property, so it’s very important to us that we return that good will,” he said. “This is a small community in Newton and we’re sticking together. We’re going to keep helping each other as much as we can.”

VIDEO: OVER 650 WORKERS AT LM MANUFACTURING IN DETROIT VOTE TO JOIN THE UAW

jmayhugh — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:23:29 +0000

DETROIT - Over 650 workers at LM Manufacturing in Detroit, MI, have voted by a supermajority to join the UAW as part of Local 600, one of the largest and most historic locals in UAW history. "It makes me feel good," LM worker Cassandra Wiley said about the 'yes' vote. "It makes me feel like our voices were heard. It makes us feel like we accomplished something. It's a really good feeling to know that change is coming." Workers at LM Manufacturing produce seats for the Ford Bronco and Ranger. Organizing efforts at the facility began two months ago. "The workers at LM reached out to the UAW with a desire to improve their working conditions and the UAW responded," said Region 1A Servicing Representative, Darieus Finklea. "These workers overwhelmingly wanted a union at their worksite," said Region 1A Director, Laura Dickerson. "They're excited, we're excited, and the Local's excited because 660 new UAW members is tremendous. We'll be sitting down and negotiating their first contract coming up." "If you're ever in a position to unionize a job, never be scared, never shy away," said worker Doctainan Peoples. "Look danger in the face. Nothing comes easy. Don't shy away from the UAW if they come to (unionize) your job... you'd better run up to 'em."

ONE MONTH OUT FROM BIG THREE CONTRACT EXPIRATION, PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLS ON COMPANIES TO REACH AGREEMENT THAT SUSTAINS THE MIDDLE CLASS

jmayhugh — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 19:22:37 +0000

President Joe Biden issued a statement Monday on the contract talks between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three automakers. The current UAW contract expires in one month on Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m. (The full statement from President Joe Biden is below the following remarks from UAW President Shawn Fain.) UAW President Shawn Fain issued these remarks about Biden’s statement: “At this critical moment in negotiations, we appreciate President Biden’s support for strong contracts that ensure good paying union jobs now and pave the way for a just transition to an EV future. We agree with the president that the Big Three’s joint venture battery plants should have the same strong pay and safety standards that generations of UAW members have fought for. As the president said, the UAW helped build the middle class and we are fighting for contracts that will bring prosperity back to working-class communities that have been struggling for far too long. The Big Three have been extraordinarily profitable for years now, making a quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits over the last decade and another $21 billion in total profits in the first half of this year. With the president’s support, we know those profits can be invested in collective bargaining agreements that lift up autoworkers, our families and our communities.” [FULL STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN ISSUED BY THE WHITE HOUSE] Statement from President Joe Biden on the United Auto Workers and Big Three Contract Negotiations: “The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class. The need to transition to a clean energy economy should provide a win-win opportunity for auto companies and unionized workers. It should enable workers to make good wages and benefits to support their families, while leading us into a future where America is leading the way in reducing vehicle emissions and producing autos that will successfully compete domestically and globally. Companies should use this process to make sure they enlist their workers in the next chapter of the industry by offering them good paying jobs and a say in the future of their workplace. “As the Big Three auto companies and the United Auto Workers come together — one month before the expiration of their contract — to negotiate a new agreement, I want to be clear about where I stand. I’m asking all sides to work together to forge a fair agreement. “I support a fair transition to a clean energy future. That means ensuring that Big Three auto jobs are good jobs that can support a family; that auto companies should honor the right to organize; take every possible step to avoid painful plant closings; and ensure that when transitions are needed, the transitions are fair and look to retool, reboot, and rehire in the same factories and communities at comparable wages, while giving existing workers the first shot to fill those jobs. The UAW helped create the American middle class and as we move forward in this transition to new technologies, the UAW deserves a contract that sustains the middle class.”

NO CONCESSIONS: BARGAINING UPDATE FROM VP RICH BOYER

jmayhugh — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 19:15:02 +0000

Vice President Rich Boyer, director of the UAW-Stellantis department, is providing bargaining updates on Facebook to members. To see all the updates, go to the UAW-Stellantis bargaining Facebook group here. We are also linking to the posts here at the UAW-Stellantis webpage. Stay tuned for more updates. Update from Vice President Boyer: The Union's position is "No Concessions." As we have been reviewing the company's proposals, it is apparent that they were drafted in an attempt to negatively respond to each of the Union's demands, after the fact. The proposals presented by the company are nothing more than concessionary and viewed as a way to stagnate the agreement to further corporate greed. We are not interested in job reductions, roll-back of any rights, or any monetary losses for our members in these talks. Stellantis's Chief Operating Officer of North America operations, Mark Stewart, made clear in his remarks during the official kick-off of the 2023 National Negotiations that the company is not seeking a concessionary agreement. Yet, in our subcommittees, we are being bombarded with company demands for less rights and benefits than our members currently have. Make no mistake, such demands are clearly concessionary, and unnecessary for Stellantis to stay competitive. If Stellantis truly views its employees as family, we should be able to agree not to diminish their rights and benefits in these negotiations. The company has long prospered many years off the backbones of the hardworking men and women of the UAW, all while making billions in record profits. Since the bankruptcy, members have made sacrifices in the form of lost wages and benefits in doing their part to sustain the company's viability, only to be left behind! The Union is committed to seeking solutions in securing a brighter future, but not at the expense of its members! The company must recognize that its number one asset is its "employees" and now it's time for the company to provide its employees with what they deserve.

UAW Holding Major Rally Sunday in Metro Detroit for a Big Three Contract that Lifts Standards for Autoworkers and Every Worker

jmayhugh — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 17:33:43 +0000

We’re holding a major rally on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. EST at UAW Region 1 for a strong Big Three contract. And you don’t have to live in Metro Detroit to attend. We’ll be livestreaming the rally on Facebook and YouTube. WHAT: Solidarity Sunday – Rally for a Strong Big 3 Contract with UAW President Shawn Fain, Region 1 Director LaShawn English, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and More WHEN: Sun., Aug. 20, 3 p.m. – Doors Open at 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Region 1 Pavilion, 27800 George Merrelli Dr., Warren, MI Sunday’s rally will take place just 25 days before our contract with the Big Three expires on Sept. 14. As President Fain has said, that date is “a deadline, not a reference point.” Ford, GM and Stellantis have made a quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits over the last ten years. The Big Three have the money to meet our demands. Come out Sunday and help make sure they do.

"TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK": Bargaining Update from VP Rich Boyer

jmayhugh

Vice President Rich Boyer, director of the UAW-Stellantis department, was joined by Lead Negotiator, John Morgan of Local 7, on Facebook to give the latest update on UAW-Stellantis bargaining. In the video, Vice President Boyer addressed the company criticizing workers for attendance issues. Boyer stated that “Stellantis is self-inducing a lot of these attendance problems" referring to the company's excessive weekend production schedule, the elimination of worker PAA call-in days, and management putting plants on critical status. "On top of that, they expect you to work seven days a week, 360 days a year," Boyer said. Boyer made his message to Stellantis clear: "How many products have you put in this country?" he asked. "How much capital investment have you put into these plants? What have you done to show that you’re loyal to us, yet you expect us to be loyal to you. You keep globetrotting, but don’t want to take the time to speak with this membership or give them a future. So, all I can say to you is “tick-tock, tick-tock." Boyer was referencing the end of the current bargaining agreement with the company which expires at midnight on September 14.

John Morgan gave the latest update regarding negotiations in subcommittees. “We’re bargaining very tough," he said. "We’re sticking to the demands that our members are asking for, and we’re reaching deep down to get the results that you deserve. As the lead, I’m going to make sure that we push, push, push until that tick-tock happens."

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE.

BIG THREE MEMBERS GET READY FOR THE FIGHT AHEAD AT STRIKE ASSISTANCE CONFERENCE

jmayhugh — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 22:35:06 +0000

You get what you fight for. And UAW members are ready for the fight ahead at the Big Three. On Thursday, we held our Strike Assistance Conference in Detroit. More than 300 leaders from locals representing workers all across the UAW gathered at the MGM Grand to nail down details of our strike preparations. The conference was organized by the UAW Strike Department under the direction of the Secretary-Treasurer’s office. As Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock said during her speech, “We will stand by your side during strikes, providing unwavering support.” “We’re ready to fight,” Mock said, “and we’ll do whatever it is we have to do in order to get what we deserve.” Mock was followed by UAW President Shawn Fain, who made clear that the era of concessions at the UAW must end. Even now, as the Big Three make record profits, they’re saying we should temper our demands, that we should work together with them. “They want to talk about working together,” Fain said. “Let’s talk to the people here right now from Belvidere Assembly Plant about what working together has done for them. Let’s talk to workers at Lordstown Assembly, let’s talk to workers at GM Powertrain in Warren. Let’s talk to workers at Ford’s Romeo Engine Plant. Let’s talk to workers at Trenton Engine North, Toledo Machine. The list goes on.” Fain noted that the Big Three have shut down or spun off 65 plants over the last 20 years. To end those plant closings, to win more good jobs, we must have the power to mount a strong and effective strike. And that’s what the conference was all about. The conference included detailed presentations on how Locals can assist members during strikes. And it included a Q & A at the end where the assembled leaders were able to get answers that addressed the unique challenges at their locals. As President Fain said, the officers at the conference will return to their locals “ready to rumble.”

UAW Releases Video about Fourth Generation Ford Worker Who’s Fallen Behind the Standards Her Family Once Enjoyed

jmayhugh — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:47:30 +0000

LIVONIA, Mich. – The UAW released a video today profiling fourth generation Ford worker Sara Schambers. The video was released on the union’s Facebook page, YouTube channel and Twitter account and also at UAW.org. Schambers, a 17-year UAW member currently working at Ford’s Livonia Transmission Plant, is the fourth generation in her family to work at Ford. But her pay and benefit standards have fallen behind those of the generations before her. She spent six years at one Ford’s wholly owned subsidiaries as “temporary worker” — working a full-time schedule — to get to the then-starting full-time wage of just over $16 an hour. It took her almost another decade to reach the top rate of pay for a production employee. Unfortunately, Sara’s story is not unique at Ford, the iconic American automaker still linked closely to the Ford family. Many workers like Sara also struggle at General Motors and Stellantis. Despite making a quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits over the last decade, all three companies still employ temporary workers. Even after being hired as permanent employees, all workers hired after 2007 are denied pensions and post-retirement health care. A majority of the workers at the Big Three are now post-2007, second-tier workers. Contract negotiations between the union and the Big Three kicked off in mid-July, and UAW members are currently holding strike authorization votes that are scheduled to conclude Aug. 24. The union’s current contract with the automakers expires on Sept. 14.

UAW Local 6000 State of Michigan Members - Don't Forget, Renew Your Membership Today!

cskelly — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:38:41 +0000

State of Michigan employees have been represented by a union since 1980 and have negotiated pay increases almost every year, thanks to members making their voices heard on the issues that matter most in our workplaces. These wins are only possible when we stand together to collectively bargain for the wages, benefits, and working conditions that allow us to do our jobs and serve our communities.

To Reauthorize, call HR Self Service at (877) 766-6447 or visit MI.GOV/SELFSERVE. You can even use the QR code below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A WALKTHROUGH OF THE REAUTHORIZATION PROCESS, GO HERE.

UAW Ramping Up Actions as President Shawn Fain Joins Practice Pickets in Detroit on Wednesday Aug. 23, Then Louisville, Ky., on Thursday, Aug. 24 and Friday, Aug. 25

jmayhugh — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:41:43 +0000

UAW President Shawn Fain will be joining practice pickets this week in Detroit, Mich., and Louisville, Ky. Practice pickets are not work stoppages; no entrances will be obstructed, and workers will report to their shifts as usual. (Dates, times and locations of all three practice pickets are below.) Fain’s visits to the practice picket lines come as 150,000 UAW members at the Big Three are holding strike authorization votes. Voting is scheduled to end by Aug. 24 and results are expected to be announced on Aug. 25. Bargaining at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis began in mid-July and the union’s contracts with the companies expire on Sept. 14. Fain has called the date “a deadline, not a reference point.” The UAW recently raised strike pay to $500 per week per member and has over $825 million in the union strike fund. The UAW is mounting an aggressive campaign for a strong contract, arguing that the automakers’ record profits should lead to record contracts. The Big Three made $250 billion in North American profits between 2013 and 2022. They made $21 billion in total profits in just the first six months of this year.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23 PRACTICE PICKET IN DETROIT – UAW Local 51

WHEN: Wed., Aug., 23 – 2:30 PM EST

Brief Rally Speech by President Fain between 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Practice Picketing will begin at 2:45 p.m.

WHERE: Meet at closed Wendy’s Parking Lot, 4749 Conner Ave., Detroit, MI; Practice Picket across the street by Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex Mack

THURSDAY, AUG. 24 PRACTICE PICKET IN LOUISVILLE, KY. – UAW Local 862

WHEN: Thu., Aug., 24 – 5:15 PM EST

Brief Rally Speeches between 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. by UAW President Fain, UAW Local 862 President Todd Dunn and Special Guests. Practice Picketing will begin at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: UAW Local 862 Owen C. Hammons Hall (2702 Chamberlain Ln., Louisville, Ky.,) near Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25 PRACTICE PICKET IN LOUISVILLE, KY. – UAW Local 862

WHEN: Fri., Aug., 25 – 3:00 PM EST

Brief Rally Speech between 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. by UAW President Fain, UAW Local 862 President Todd Dunn and Special Guests.Practice Picketing will begin at 3:15 p.m.

WHERE: UAW Local 862 Ron Gettelfinger Hall – 3000 Fern Valley Rd., Louisville, Ky., near Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant.

VIDEO: Region 9 Director Dan Vicente: "The Time Has Come to Start Fighting Back"

jmayhugh — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 21:09:20 +0000

Region 9 Director Dan Vicente recently addressed delegates at the UAW National Veterans Conference held at the Walter & May Reuther Family Education Center at Black Lake from August 13th through August 18th. Vincente, himself a veteran of the United States Marine Corps., spoke about the oath each veteran took when they signed up to join the armed forces. "Many of us have deployed," Vicente said. "And even if you didn't deploy, you know what the sacrifices were being in the service. You know the time away from your families. But that's what you signed up for. We took that oath and signed up for it. We swore to defend the Constitution. All of us did. Part of that to me was swearing to defend the American way of life." Vicente also stressed the importance of standing strong during current negations with the Big Three. "I know that fighting seems scary," he told delegates. "But those of us in this room, we've been through worse. Our Brothers and Sisters are going to look to us for guidance and leadership, and I'm proud to say that we are prepared. We have the experience necessary to lead this fight."

March with us in the 2023 Michigan Labor Day Parade Sept. 4 @ 9 AM

cskelly — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 21:29:33 +0000

This year’s Labor Day Parade, hosted by the Metro-Detroit AFL-CIO, will take place Monday, September 4, 2023. The theme is “Labor United Stronger than Ever!” The march will begin promptly at 9 a.m. EST and will end with a program at Roosevelt Park.

DOWNLOAD THE STAGING MAP AND MARCHING ORDERS, HERE, INCLUDING MEETUP TIMES/LOCATIONS PRIOR TO 9 AM EST.

WHO: UAW Members, VARIOUS UAW Activists and Union Supporters WHAT: 2023 Michigan Labor Day Parade WHEN: Monday, September 4, 2023 - Staging @ 8 a.m. – Parade bEGIns @ 9 a.m. WHERE: UAW STAGING Trumbull; ABBOTt TO Bagley Ave. Detroit, MI

MAKE SURE TO WEAR YOUR RED UAW SHIRTS TO SHOW SOLIDARITY! Stick around after the parade ends at Roosevelt Park and join in with other union families to send a strong message of solidarity from President Shawn Fain, along with various speakers and union allies. For more information on how you can participate, contact your Local Union or Regional Office.

President Fain's Big Three Contract Update: "Be Ready to Stand Up"

jmayhugh

On September 8, UAW President Shawn Fain gave an update to UAW members on Facebook Live about the current state of negotiations with all three Detroit automakers. Opening remarks: "Tonight, we’re going to talk about what’s on everyone’s mind. With six days left until our contracts expire at the Big Three, the automakers have yet to offer our members a fair contract. We gave our economic proposals to Ford, GM, and Stellantis well over a month ago with a clear message: we aren’t going to stand by and allow you to drag out negotiations. September 14th is a deadline, not a reference point. For all three of these companies. Finally, after weeks of delay, we have counteroffers in from each of the companies. So tonight, I’m going to get into the details of what the companies are offering. What the companies think you’re worth. After raking in record profits for the past decade, we’ll talk tonight about what they think you deserve, versus what they take for themselves. Before we get into it, I want to acknowledge the moment we find ourselves in. This isn’t just about the latest offer from this or that company, or this or that piece of contract language. It’s about this moment in history, and it’s about the movement we’ve built – together. We live in a time of record inequality. The rich get richer, while the working class falls further behind. The wealthy live in comfort, while the working-class lives paycheck to paycheck. For many working people, it’s harder and harder to see a future for ourselves in this economy. Autoworkers have been on the front lines of that. For the past several decades, we’ve been relentlessly under attack. Our plants have been closed; families torn apart. Our standard of living has dropped like a rock. Our work-life balance is a joke. Our retirement security is a myth. And the auto companies have also been on the front lines of that. The Big Three have profited a quarter of a trillion dollars in North America in the past decade. Their CEOs have made hundreds of millions of dollars personally. They jack up car prices. They shortchange their workers. They take whatever they can get from the US taxpayer. And they pocket the profit for themselves and their Wall Street cronies. For years, the Big Three have gotten away with this. They have been the leading edge of corporate greed. They beat down the workers, they weaken our unions, they break the law if they have to. I mention all this because the proposals we’re going to discuss today aren’t just words on paper. These negotiations do not happen in a vacuum. They are a reflection of the balance of power between Big Three corporate greed and UAW solidarity and organization. These companies offer what they think we will accept. And let’s be real: workers accept what they think they can win. When we build our collective power, together, we change that equation. Over the past several months, that’s what we’ve been doing. Together. We have been organizing like hell. We have been speaking the truth. We have been standing up. And that’s what we’re going to continue to do, up to and beyond September 14th if we have to." On where things currently stand with the Big Three: "Seven weeks ago, we put forward our Members Demands. These were our core economic proposals to the companies that reflect the sacrifice we’ve endured and the profits we’ve generated for these companies. For weeks, we heard nothing. Crickets. Finally, last week we got a counteroffer from Ford, and still nothing from GM and Stellantis. So, we filed unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board for GM and Stellantis’s refusal to bargain in good faith. And what do you know? Despite talking about how offended they were and how the charges were “frivolous,” suddenly they got their act together and offered up counter proposals to our demands. This week, we’ve finally begun to see all three companies at least submit something, which is why I wanted to have this update. On Wednesday, we gave a counterproposal to Ford, who responded on Thursday. On Thursday morning, GM gave us a proposal – an insulting proposal, but still a proposal. And finally, this morning, Stellantis gave us their counteroffer. Here’s where things stand on our core Members Demands." Tiers: "We need to end the broken, unjust tiers system. We believe in equal pay for equal work; that no worker should be treated like they’re second-class. We’ve proposed a 90-day progression to top rate, the restoration of pensions and post-retirement healthcare for all. Ford has proposed a 5-year progression, down from the current 8 years, and rejected ALL pension and retiree healthcare proposals. GM proposed a 6-year progression, also rejected all our pension and retiree healthcare proposals, and wants to continue the substandard pay scale for CCA and GMCH workers. Stellantis also wants to keep a 6-year progression to top rate, maintain the tier system by rejecting all pension and retiree healthcare proposals, and keep the substandard pay at MOPAR." Wages: "In our Members Demands we proposed significant double-digit pay raises of 40% to match the salary increases of the Big 3 CEOs, to catch up with this brutal inflation, and to make up for decades of falling real wages in this industry. Ford has proposed a 10 percent raise over four years, with lump sum bonuses that many employees won’t be eligible for. GM proposed the same, except members at CCA would get only 2% over four years, and GMCH would get no raises. This morning, Stellantis offered 14.5 percent over four years, and for their salaried unit lump sums only. I want to be clear. This is movement. We went from 9 percent at Ford to 14.5 percent at Stellantis. That’s happening because we are putting on the pressure. But I want to be clear about something else, too. A 14.5 percent wage increase over four years is deeply inadequate. It doesn’t make up for inflation, it doesn’t make up for decades of falling wages, and it doesn’t reflect the massive profits we’ve generated for this company." COLA: "We proposed the restoration of COLA: cost-of-living adjustments that would help autoworkers keep up with inflation so we don’t get left behind economically. Ford has proposed a severely deficient COLA, using a formula that would have provided ZERO PERCENT increases for 10 of the past 13 years, and would be projected to add ZERO in raises over the next four years. Let me say that again: Ford’s proposed COLA formula is projected to provide ZERO in terms of raises over the next four years. That’s not COLA, that’s not even Diet COLA – that's Coke ZERO. But let me point something else out. For years we’ve heard from these companies that COLA is not possible; is not realistic. Suddenly, though it’s a very deficient proposal, COLA is back on the table. Despite the severely deficient COLA Ford is offering, they have GM beat, who haven’t moved on COLA, just proposed lump sums that many employees won’t receive. Stellantis did not offer anything on COLA." Profit Sharing: "We put forward a proposal to provide workers $2 for every one million dollars spent by the companies on stock buybacks and special dividends. If they’ve got money for Wall Street, they sure as hell have money for the workers making the product. Not only have they not met our proposal, Ford proposed a scheme that would’ve shrunk profit sharing checks by 21% over the past two years. GM’s proposal would’ve meant a 29% smaller check last year. Stellantis did not respond to our profit-sharing proposals." Temporary Workers: "We have proposed ending the abuse of so-called “temps” who are exploited at low wages for years at a time and denied the full benefits and wages despite working endless hours to keep these companies going. Temporary workers should be converted to full-time after 90 days with full pay, benefits, and profit-sharing. Across all three automakers -- Ford, GM, and Stellantis -- we’ve received proposals to raise temp worker pay to $20 an hour but provide no path to full wages and benefits." Job Security: "We’re fighting like hell to keep good jobs in America, and to put an end to plant closures that destroy our communities and tear families apart. That’s why we proposed strong job security language, creating the Working Family Protection Program to disincentivize the Big Three from killing jobs. We also proposed the right to strike over plant closures. Ford proposed giving themselves the unilateral right to outsource any of our work at any time. GM rejected all of our proposals around job security. Stellantis rejected our job security proposals as well." Work-Life Balance: "We all know that living in a plant 7-days a week, 12-hours a day isn’t living at all. We need real work-life balance so they can’t just keep working us to death. Autoworkers have families. Autoworkers have communities. Autoworkers deserve a life. That's why we’re pushing for more paid time off and holidays, and a shorter work week. After years of granting it to their salary employees, Ford has finally offered paid parental leave to UAW members, two paid weeks. But they refused to recognize Juneteenth, a day of historic importance and a new federal holiday. GM agreed to offer Juneteenth as a paid holiday but rejected all of our other proposals. Stellantis also agreed to offer Juneteenth as a paid holiday, but no other movement." Retirees: "We’ve proposed significant increases to retiree pay, as the retirees, those who built our union, have gone without an increase for well over a decade now. Ford, GM, and Stellantis rejected all of our proposals on this front." Closing Remarks: "So, there it is. That’s what these companies think you’re worth. That’s what they say about you behind closed doors. And then go on TV and talk about treating us like family. Tell me, is this how you treat your family? Do you tell your family “Good luck living paycheck to paycheck, I’ll keep my $29 million a year.” Do you tell your family "Go make cars seven days a week, ninety days in a row, so I can buy another house in Mexico?” That’s not how I treat my family. Now, listen. I’ve heard the nonsense from some Big Three executives and some of their friends in the media about my foul mouth or theatrics or this or that. I want you to know something. I don’t do these updates because I just want to blow off some steam about these insulting proposals. I do these updates because our strength as a union is in our membership. Our strength as working people is in our unity. You all deserve to know what they’re saying about you. You all deserve to know what’s being negotiated about YOUR future, and YOUR life. I want to be clear. We want a deal. We are ready for a deal. A deal that honors our members sacrifices and contributions. But we aren’t going to lay down and take whatever scraps they give us. It’s time – it's long past time – we stand up. We are serious about this deadline. And the companies are serious too. Just yesterday I saw reports of Ford taking out big loans, and prepping scabs to work if we go on strike. They’re getting ready. So, we’re getting ready. If we hit 11:59 pm on Thursday without a deal at any of the Big Three automakers, there WILL be a strike, at all three if need be. In the coming days we’ll be sharing more on that front. But I want you ALL to be ready. I’ve got two words for every Big Three worker out there listening: STAND UP. Be ready to STAND UP for yourselves. For your families. For your communities. Be ready to STAND UP against corporate greed, against management’s lies, against distortions in the media. STAND UP for what’s right, STAND UP for what you believe in. And I truly believe that America will stand with us."

UAW Releases Special Big Three Issue of Its Union Magazine

jmayhugh

DETROIT – The UAW released a special Big Three issue of the union’s magazine just days before its contracts expire with the three automakers on Sept. 14. The magazine, Solidarity, features profiles of members and retirees fighting to restore the wage and benefit standards that helped build America’s middle class. A free PDF of the magazine, Solidarity, is available for download at this link by UAW members, media and the public. The special issue opens with a letter from UAW President Shawn Fain. “Our members today aren’t asking for the moon, we’re simply asking for our fair share,” Fain writes. “This is our generation’s defining moment. What we win will set the standard not only for our members, but for the entire working class.” The three member profiles in the magazine tell the stories behind three core demands in bargaining: restoring COLA and fair pay; ending tiers; and stopping plant closures.

Mike Hall, a UAW member at a GM parts depot in Philadelphia, talks about the toll inflation has taken on his family, and how the union’s call for cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and fair pay would give them much needed security and stability.
Sara Schambers, a fourth generation Ford worker in Michigan, tells how the path to prosperity at the company is disappearing. She spent six years as a temp and won’t receive a pension or retiree healthcare, unless the UAW wins them back in this contract.
Dawn Simms, a member at Stellantis’ recently idled Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois, was laid off despite the company making a record $12 billion profit in the first half of 2023. She tells how the quest for extreme profits is ripping apart families and ruining communities.

Solidarity also profiles three retirees who have enjoyed a better life due to the pension and healthcare benefits they won with the UAW. But pension payments to the UAW’s Big Three retirees have not increased since 2003. The punishing inflation of the last few years has left many retirees struggling. The UAW is fighting to increase those payments and win justice for retirees. Ford, GM and Stellantis have the money to meet the union’s demands. They have made a combined quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits over the last decade, and they are all on track to post massive profits in 2023. The UAW delivered its core economic demands to the automakers in mid-July, but all three companies took more than a month to respond with counterproposals. President Fain has said Sept. 14 is a deadline, not a reference point. The UAW recently raised strike pay to $500 per week per member and has over $825 million in the union strike fund.

VIDEO: The UAW's Flying Squadrons

jmayhugh — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 14:48:27 +0000

Gavin Strassel, the UAW Archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library, shares a little bit of the history behind our union's iconic Flying Squadrons. "Flying Squadrons were a group of militant unionists in the 1930s and 40s who were ready to help their fellow workers go on strike at a moment's notice," Strassel says. "Let's say workers in Toledo went on strike. Flying Squadron members from UAW Local 600 in Dearborn, MI, UAW Local 3 in Detroit, and other Locals would suit up in their gear, drive down to Toledo, and support their fellow union members so that their strike may be successful."

Undated photo of UAW Local 600 Flying Squadron

As Grassroots Actions Intensify in Support of Strong Big 3 Contract, UAW President Fain Calls on Members to Organize Practice Pickets and Other Actions

jmayhugh — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 17:36:29 +0000

The campaign for a strong contract at the Big Three is taking off. UAW members and allies have started spontaneously organizing grassroots actions around the country and UAW President Shawn Fain is strongly encouraging them. Today, while in Louisville, Kentucky, to join two practice pickets, he sent an email to tens of thousands of union activists encouraging them to keep intensifying their grassroots organizing. Here is the text of the letter, along with materials he circulated to use in their actions: UAW family, I’m writing to you from Louisville, Kentucky, where I’m joining UAW Local 862 members at two practice pickets. The Big Three have made massive profits for more than a decade. But while CEOs got rich, UAW members got left behind. Our message to the Big Three is simple: record profits mean record contracts. Let’s show the companies we mean business by organizing actions across the country.

One of my favorites: the practice picket. For decades, unions across the country have used this tactic because it’s simple, fun and sends a clear message to the boss.
The Teamsters were the most recent union to use practice pickets to win a strong contract. Now it’s our turn.

Don’t know where to start? I’ve attached a story written by a rank-and-file Teamster explaining how they organized their own actions. I’ve also included a “Dos and Don’ts” guideline for practice pickets as well as PDFs so you can print your own signs. Here are links where you can download PDFs of all those materials:

The companies know what our priorities are. If the Big Three refuse to give us the contract we deserve, then they’re the ones who are choosing to strike. I’ve told the companies repeatedly that September 14 is a deadline, not a reference point. Let’s show them that we are united and ready to back up those words with collective action! In solidarity, Shawn Fain

UAW Battery Workers at Ultium in Lordstown Win Breakthrough Agreement on Wage Increase

jmayhugh — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 22:47:38 +0000

LORDSTOWN, Oh. – The UAW announced today that union workers at Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, have won a breakthrough agreement to immediately raise wages by $3 to $4 an hour, as well as thousands of dollars of back pay for hundreds of workers. Ultium workers will vote on whether to ratify the interim deal in the coming days. The interim deal follows months of negotiations and a public UAW campaign to win justice for electric vehicle workers at Ultium and across the country. “After months of public pressure and worker organizing, Ultium was forced to take a first step towards economic justice for the workers who are powering GM’s electric vehicle future,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “When we fight hard, we can win big, and we aren’t done fighting for standard-setting wages and benefits at Ultium and beyond.” “This interim wage increase is a victory for the workers in Lordstown who have been organizing relentlessly to combat dangerous working conditions and appallingly low pay,” said UAW Vice President Mike Booth. “But it is still far short of what these workers deserve for the level of skill their labor requires, the working conditions they must endure, and the incredible value they produce for this heavily taxpayer-subsidized employer. We have been clear with Ultium: this wage increase is just the start.” "Ultium workers deserve this immediate relief from the poverty wages they have been earning. We will continue to have our members backs as we move forward in fighting for the wages and benefits that autoworkers have won over generations,” said UAW Region 2B Director David Green. “The race to the bottom is over!” Ultium Cells produces battery cells for GM’s growing battery fleet and is expected to qualify for more than $1 billion a year in federal tax credits when it is running at full capacity. Workers at Ultium Cells won their union in a landslide vote of 710 to 16 in December 2022 — becoming the first in the nation to successfully unionize at a large battery cell production plant. Workers organized in response to serious health and safety concerns and poverty wages.

97% OF UAW'S BIG THREE MEMBERS VOTE YES TO AUTHORIZE STRIKE

jmayhugh — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:51:45 +0000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UAW President Shawn Fain announced today that the union’s strike authorization vote passed with near universal approval from the 150,000 union workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. Final votes are still being tabulated, but the current combined average across the Big Three was 97% in favor of strike authorization. The vote does not guarantee a strike will be called, only that the union has the right to call a strike if the Big Three refuse to reach a fair deal. “Our union’s membership is clearly fed up with living paycheck-to-paycheck while the corporate elite and billionaire class continue to make out like bandits,” said UAW President Fain. “The Big Three have been breaking the bank while we have been breaking our backs.” UAW President Fain was elected to office in the union’s first ever direct election and has broken with tradition by refusing to shake hands with Big Three CEOs prior to bargaining and refusing to bargain the UAW’s core economic demands in secret, choosing instead to publicly announce them to the membership and to provide ongoing bargaining updates over social media. The union’s demands include the elimination of tiered wages and benefits, wage increases to offset inflation and match the generous salary increases of company executives over the last four years, the re-establishment of cost-of-living allowances and defined benefit pensions and retiree healthcare, the right to strike over plant closures, significant increases to current retiree benefits, and more paid time off to be with family. “Our members' expectations are high because Big Three profits are so high. The Big Three made a combined $21 billion in profits in just the first six months of this year. That’s on top of the quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits they made over the last decade. While Big Three executives and shareholders got rich, UAW members got left behind. Our message to the Big Three is simple: record profits mean record contracts.” The strike authorization vote at General Motors passed by 96%. The following is a statement from UAW Vice President Mike Booth, director of the UAW-General Motors Department: “The highest authority is the membership, and this is definitively outlined within our UAW Constitution. Today the 46,000 UAW represented members at General Motors clearly spoke with a unified voice when the strike authorization passed by 96%,” said UAW Vice President Mike Booth, director of the UAW-General Motors Department. “General Motors has made insane record profits in the past few years and the UAW membership is only demanding their fair share. Today, the members put the company on notice.” The strike authorization vote at Ford passed by 98% for hourly represented workers and 99% by salaried represented workers. The following is a statement from UAW Vice President Chuck Browning, director of the UAW-Ford Department: “I’m proud of the 59,000 Ford workers who have stood together to send a clear and united message to the company,” said UAW Vice President Chuck Browning, director of the UAW-Ford Department. “Ford earned $76 billion in North American profits between 2013 and 2022 and their profits are once again surging in the first half of this year. This resounding strike authorization vote by our Ford members shows that they are ready to go the distance and do what is necessary to claim their fair share of Ford’s success.” The strike authorization vote at Stellantis passed by 95%. The following is a statement from UAW Vice President Rich Boyer, director of the UAW-Stellantis Department: “The 44,000 UAW members at Stellantis have said with one voice that they are demanding an end to tiers, COLA and big wage increases like the Stellantis executives have enjoyed,” said UAW Vice President Rich Boyer, director of the UAW-Stellantis Department. “Stellantis has made astronomical profits over the last decade and recently announced they made a record $12 billion in profits in the first half of this year. This strike vote is a warning to Stellantis: we know the company can afford our demands and we are united and willing to do what it takes to win them.”

UAW Workers at Ultium in Lordstown Vote 895 to 22 to Ratify Interim Agreement that Immediately Raises Wages

ykendall — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 01:22:47 +0000

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – UAW workers at Ultium Cells voted 895 to 22 over the weekend to ratify an interim agreement that immediately raises wages $3 to $4 an hour and provides thousands of dollars in back pay for hundreds of workers. The interim deal came after months of negotiations and an ongoing UAW campaign to win justice for electric vehicle workers at Ultium and across the country. Negotiations for a complete first contract will continue between the union’s elected bargaining committee and Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution. “UAW members at Ultium are proving that we can raise standards at the electric vehicle facilities coming on line across America,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This agreement is an important step forward, but it’s only the first step. We will keep fighting at Ultium and all EV plants to win the same strong pay and safety standards that generations of autoworkers have won at GM, Ford and Stellantis.” “This overwhelming vote in favor of the interim agreement sends us back to the bargaining table with even more energy,” said Josh Ayers, chairman of the UAW bargaining committee at Ultium. “We will keep negotiating for a comprehensive contract that is transformative not only for our UAW family but also for our surrounding communities. This ratification vote brings us one step closer to making Ultium Cells a real career and not just a job.” Ultium Cells produces battery cells for GM’s growing electric vehicle fleet and is expected to qualify for more than $1 billion a year in federal tax credits when it is running at full capacity. Workers at Ultium Cells won their union in a landslide vote of 710 to 16 in December, 2022—becoming the first in the nation to successfully unionize at a large battery cell production plant. Workers organized in response to serious health and safety concerns and poverty wages. Both the dangerous conditions and poverty wages were extensively documented in a case study recently published by the UAW, entitled “High Risk & Low Pay: Hazardous Conditions and Low Wages Show Standards Must be Raised at Battery Cells Plants Getting Billions in Taxpayer Dollars.” The UAW will continue to bargain over further wage increases until it has reached a complete first agreement with Ultium Cells.

Union Plus - Hotel Discounts

uawrescandon — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:15:30 +0000

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Big Three Online Training This Thursday - Member Engagement and Organizing a Practice Picket/Rally

jmayhugh — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:09:06 +0000

Join fellow UAW members from across the country this Thursday (8/31) for a Big Three online training session to organize practice pickets and rallies at your Local!

You can register for the Zoom event here.

Start: Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 4:00 PM CT End: Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 5:00 PM CT

A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP.

The Big Three have made massive profits for more than a decade. But while CEOs got rich, UAW members got left behind. Our message to the Big Three is simple: record profits mean record contracts. Let’s show the companies we mean business by organizing actions across the country. The practice picket. For decades, unions across the country have used this tactic because it’s simple, fun and sends a clear message to the boss. The Teamsters were the most recent union to use practice pickets to win a strong contract. Now it’s our turn.

Video: UAW President Emeritus Bob King: "Double What You Make!"

jmayhugh — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:28:51 +0000

UAW President Emeritus Bob King addressed delegates at the recent International Women's Conference at Black Lake held earlier this month. During part of his speech, President King -- speaking on the current negotiations with the Big Three -- asked those in attendance if they knew how much pay auto workers in Germany make. "Anybody know?" he asked. "Double what you make! Double what our highest paid members make. And are the German companies still competitive? Hell yeah, they lead the world. Some people say Volkswagen's the strongest auto company, some say it's Toyota. But they're right at the top. So, you can pay great wages." President King then addressed concerns that the UAW was demanding too much from the Big Three during negotiations. "One of the things I always say to folks talking about bargaining," King said. "If you ever got all you asked for, you didn't ask for enough. You have to shoot high to win high."

47th UAW International Women's Conference: "You Are Powerful Beyond Measure"

jmayhugh — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:19:59 +0000

The UAW held its 47th International Women's Conference from August 6-11, 2023, at the Walter & May Reuther Family Education Center at Black Lake in Onaway, MI. Delegates spent the week participating in various workshops, listening to the experiences and knowledge of guest speakers, and discussing how to further empower women in our union and workplaces. During UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock’s keynote Q&A session, she fielded questions from attendees and spoke about engaging her power by standing firm and doing what is right for the membership. She also recounted her personal journey during her time in the UAW and offered encouragement to delegates. “You are powerful beyond measure,” said Mock, who is also Director of the Women’s Department. “You have the ability to create change, inspire others, and make a difference in the world. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams or that your voice doesn’t matter. Your voice is powerful. Your presence matters.” Throughout the week, delegates participated in various workshops and discussions meant to further attendees’ knowledge and understanding on a number of important topics and issues facing women. Understanding Bargaining and Strikes, Understanding Our Bias through Our Solidarity, Effective Union Meetings, and UAW Constitution were just a few of the workshops offered to delegates during the week. Elisa Bryant, President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), was a guest speaker at this year’s conference. Sister Bryant spoke about the importance of women engaging their power. Regions led daily activities during the conference to keep delegates active and engaged. There were also themed days: Represent Your Region Day, T-shirt Day (Engaging Your Power Day), Red Shirt Day, and Rosie Day in honor of the iconic Rosie the Riveter. Region 2B received the Regional Activism Award at this year’s Women’s Conference. Delegates from Region 2B adopted the cause of “Women in Office” at the Region’s Women’s Conference last September with the goal of supporting women running for office at their local unions and in their communities. Delegates phone banked, fund raised, worked polls, and went door-to-door in neighborhoods to support women who were running for office. Some even chose to run for office themselves. As a result of Region 2B’s dedication and hard work, twenty-seven women were elected to office at their respective Local Unions. Francine Parker, Joan Patterson, and Miriam Poe were recipients of the Margaret Mock Lifetime of Service Award. “Being here at Black Lake this week has made me even more proud,” UAW Local 1219 member Latina Walton said about her experience at this year's conference. “I’ve never seen so many strong-minded women with their chests poked out, their heads held high. The confidence is beyond phenomenal.” [foogallery id="37010"]

Statement by UAW President Shawn Fain on the U.S. Department of Energy Announcing $15.5 Billion in New Grants and Loans to Support a Just Transition to Electric Vehicles

jmayhugh — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:31:15 +0000

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $15.5 billion in new grants and loans to support a just transition to electric vehicles. This includes a $2 billion domestic conversion grant program, $10 billion in domestic conversion loans from the DOE Loan Program Office, and $3.5 billion in battery supply chain funding. UAW President Shawn Fain issued this statement about the new DOE grants and loans: “The UAW supports and is ready for the transition to a clean auto industry. But the EV transition must be a just transition that ensures auto workers have a place in the new economy. Today’s announcement from the Department of Energy echoes the UAW’s call for strong labor standards tied to all taxpayer funding that goes to auto and manufacturing companies. “We are glad to see the Biden Administration doing its part to reject the false choice between a good job and a green job. This new policy makes clear to employers that the EV transition must include strong union partnerships with the high pay and safety standards that generations of UAW members have fought for and won. “The Big Three have closed or spun off 65 plants in the last 20 years. The automakers have not yet promised job security in our ongoing negotiations. I have traveled across the country, meeting displaced workers who’ve had to pick up and move their families when plants shut down recently in Belvidere, Ill., Lordstown, Ohio, and Romeo, Mich. These new grants and loans will give plants like these a chance for federal support to ensure those jobs and communities are protected. “The UAW looks forward to continue working with the Biden Administration to ensure a just transition for the auto workers in this country.”

President Fain's Big Three Contract Update: "Ford Proposal Insults Our Very Worth"

jmayhugh — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 07:00:18 +0000

UAW President Shawn Fain held a Facebook Live on Thursday evening to update our membership on the current state of Big Three negotiations. He addressed a number of issues during the stream, including a response to Ford's contract proposal. On the criticism that the UAW is demanding too much from the Big Three: "I know that our demands are ambitious, but I’ve told the companies repeatedly, I’m not the reason that members’ expectations are so high. What’s driving members’ expectations are the Big Three’s profits. You cannot make $21 billion in profits in half a year and expect members to take a mediocre contract. You can’t make a quarter trillion dollars in North American profits over the last decade and expect us to keep aiming low and settling lower. Our campaign slogan is simple: record profits mean record contracts." On the lack of progress currently being made at the bargaining table: "The Big Three have a simple playbook when it comes to bargaining that can be summed up in three words: delay, delay, delay. So a month ago, I sat across from each of the Big Three CEOs with your national negotiators beside me, and I delivered our demands. I told them that if they expected to drag everything out until the final days of bargaining and then try to settle everything all at once, then they were setting themselves up for a strike. I’ve told them repeatedly, September 14 is a deadline, not a reference point." On the UAW filing unfair labor practice charges against Stellantis and General Motors: "UAW family, I’m sad to report that the Big Three are either not listening or they are not taking us seriously. We are now 14 days out from our contract expiration and both General Motors and Stellantis have failed to give us any economic counters. You know, there’s a pathetic irony to having these companies fixate so much on worker absenteeism and productivity when their top leadership have ditched bargaining and are refusing to buckle down and do the work of actually negotiating a contract. GM and Stellantis’s willful refusal to bargain in good faith is not only insulting and counter-productive, it’s also illegal. That is why, today, our union filed unfair labor practice charges – or ULPs – against both GM and Stellantis with the National Labor Relations Board. Unfortunately, many employers across the country are willing to break the law and incur the meager fines and penalties that result as just the cost of union busting." On the importance of Locals across our union continuing to organize practice pickets and rallies: "While it’s important that we always defend our rights and seek assistance from the Labor Board in holding companies like GM and Stellantis accountable, at the end of the day our strongest line of defense is each other and our ability to take collective action. That is why it is so important that locals across the country continue to organize rallies, practice pickets, and other actions. We need to speak out together with one voice against GM and Stellantis’s illegal refusal to bargain in good faith – and we need to be ready to go on strike if necessary."

On Ford's contract proposal to the UAW:

"So far, the only company that has given us a response is Ford. We met with the company on Tuesday and I wanted to take the opportunity to go through their proposal tonight with all of you. Just as a reminder, we are living in a golden era for the Big Three. Ford’s revenue and profits are surging. Ford made over $10.4 billion in profits in 2022 and is on track to surpass that in 2023. Those are profits created by our hands. Our dedication. Our sacrifice. And those profits have resulted in unparalleled gains for company executives and rich shareholders. In fact, Ford CEO Jim Farley has said that Ford is entering 'the most promising period for growth in Ford’s history.'" Temporary Workers: "So, let’s take a look at what Ford is proposing for their workers as the company moves forward into a new era of magnificence and splendor. First, we’ve demanded that temporary work be just that: temporary. While the companies have succeeded, workers have been left behind. And this race to the bottom has been driven in part by the reliance on an army of permatemps. These are workers who often work seven days a week, twelve hours a day, for months on end with no commitment from the company to their future. We have demanded an end to the use of permatemps with strong language that would require all temporary workers to be given the option to convert to full-time seniority employment after 90 days. We have also demanded that temps be paid at not less than 85% of top rate, that they receive profit sharing checks, they be provided full healthcare and retirement benefits. Rather than agreeing to our commonsense demand of equal pay for equal work, Ford has proposed that there be NO cap on the use of temporary workers. The company has proposed that they receive less than 60% of the top wage rate, that they be denied a fair share of the profits that their labor produced, they be given second tier healthcare and no retirement benefits. Worse still, under Ford’s proposal, the company would have the right to transition to an entirely temporary workforce over time and we would have no say. Let me say that again: the company is proposing the unilateral right to hire as many temps as they want and keep everyone working as temps permanently with no end in sight. UAW family, that ain't happening. We are going to continue to fight to make sure that temporary workers don’t become a growing underclass of workers at the Big Three. And we will win." Raises & COLA "We went to Ford and proposed a double-digit wage increase, just like the Big 3 CEOs have received over the last four years. Because we know our members are worth the same and more. We also have a lot to make up for. In inflation adjusted dollars, our starting pay today is $10 an hour less than what it was in 2007. So, we have demanded the reinstatement of cost-of-living adjustments to protect our future and our families against the relentless tide of inflation. What has Ford proposed? A 9% general wage increase over the life of the contract. And instead of cost-of-living, they’ve offered one-time lump sum bonuses. Companies love lump sum bonuses because they keep your base wages low, reducing your lifetime earnings. Ford’s wage proposals not only fail to meet our needs, it insults our very worth." On Ford's dividends: "Ford has been using the profits our labor produces to increase the dividends they pay out to shareholders. As of today, the company is on track to reward shareholders for all of OUR hard work by raising their dividend payout by 150% to a whopping $5 billion in 2023. If the shareholders and CEOs are lavishing themselves with the value we create, then it’s our turn for our fair share. I want to be very clear on this point: We will accept nothing less than consistent, living wages that grow with the economy. If Ford thinks we will accept a single digit pay increase and no COLA, then I hope these shareholders know how to work on an assembly line, because those are going to be the only people left to build cars come September 15. On the UAW's proposal to end tiers: "As you know, we are also demanding the end to tiers. Right now, a majority of Big Three workers are second class workers, so we have put forward a proposal to bring the 8-year wage progression down to 90 days and to restore retiree healthcare and pensions for all workers.Ford has proposed that tiers continue. That means no retiree healthcare, no pension, and dropping the wage progression from 8 to 6 years. UAW family, as I travel the country attending practice pickets and rallies, I’ve seen a lot of signs. One of my favorites is “Everyone Tier One.” That’s what solidarity is all about. We will no longer let the companies divide us. We are united in the fight to end tiers." On the Union's proposal of a Working Families Protection Program: "Ya know, I’ve gotten a lot of heat for the Working Families Protection Program. Here is the simple truth: Plant closures are devastating. The Big Three want the power to take our jobs and the products we build and move them to other countries where they can more easily exploit workers. That results in massive job loss that guts local economies and rips apart families as workers uproot themselves from their lives and homes to travel across the country to get another job. Our union’s position is that the Big Three are Fortune 500 companies that have made a quarter-trillion dollars in profits over the last ten years and are constantly taking billions of dollars in taxpayer dollars and they have an obligation to their workers and our families and our communities. So, if Ford wants to shut down a line or a plant and move those jobs to another country, then the company should be forced to continue to pay those workers until more product is brought back to their plant. This is especially important in an economic downturn. Like Walter Reuther said: "nothing breeds unemployment like unemployment." Our Working Families Protection Program would disincentivize the Big Three from shipping our jobs away, it would keep our families together, and it would keep local economies strong during tough times. It also wouldn’t cost the companies anything if they keep their word and honor their commitments to our members. What’s shameful is that the Big Three would continue to threaten us with plant closures during the greatest economic run in their history. That’s economic terrorism, plain and simple." On the transition to electric vehicles: Sadly, Ford has rejected all of our job security proposals. This is particularly unacceptable because right now the company is planning to move some of our powertrain work to dangerous, low-paying, non-union battery jobs outside of Ford. In fact, Ford is currently investing billions of dollars in companies that are not Ford and in a workforce that is not the UAW. And they are receiving billions of dollars in taxpayer funding to support this race to the bottom. If Ford wants Built in America to mean something, then it has to mean something. Our union isn’t going to stand by while we replace oil barons with battery barons who are more than happy to take billions in taxpayer handouts while offering workers dangerous jobs at poverty wages. Ford has a chance to lead here, but sadly they are choosing the low road approach. Our union has been clear, we will fight for a just transition." On profit sharing: "Our union has also proposed an enhanced profit-sharing formula that would provide workers $2 for every $1 million spent by Ford on stock buybacks, special dividends, and increases to normal dividends. Ford has responded with a concessionary proposal that would change the profit-sharing formula so that workers would actually earn less. We ran the numbers and under Ford’s proposed profit-sharing formula, Ford workers would have earned 21% less in profit sharing checks over the last two years." On work-life balance proposals: "We also have put forward several proposals aimed at increasing work, life and family balance. Like I’ve said many times, we are one of the most overworked populations in the world. The average worker in Germany works three months less a year than the average worker in the United States. What that shows us is that forcing workers to live pay-to-paycheck while working seven days a week for every week of the year is a social choice, not a necessity. I heard this saying once, “every billionaire is a policy failure.” Truer words have never been spoken. Billionaires don’t have a right to exist. The very existence of billionaires shows us that we have an economy that is working for the benefit of the few and not the many. I say the same is true for poverty wages and long hours. We need to wipe them out. The labor movement once fought for a vision of work life in which everyone had 8 hours for work, 8 hours rest, and 8 hours recreation. Sadly, it feels like we’ve gone so far backwards that we have to fight just to have the 40-hour work week back. We need to get back to fighting for a vision of society in which everyone earns family-sustaining wages and everyone has enough free time to enjoy their lives and see their kids grow up and their parents grow old. Rather than working with us on achieving that vision, Ford has rejected all of our quality-of-life proposals. They even rejected our demand that Juneteenth be a paid holiday. Let that sink in: Ford refuses even to recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday, a day that is not just of historic importance to all of us, but a symbol of our shared values and the progress we still need to make as a country. That’s just shameful." On the UAW's proposal to increase retiree pensions at Ford: "We have put forward a number of proposals to significantly increase retiree pay. Many of our retirees gave their bodies to these companies. They worked long, hard days on the assembly line for decades and they deserve to retire with dignity. Sadly, they haven’t seen their pay increase by a cent over the last 17 years. Ford seems content to reward shareholders and corporate executives but not the people whose bodies and labor literally built this company. They rejected all of our demands to increase retiree pay outright. Closing comments: "UAW family, I know this update is infuriating. Believe me when I say: I’m fed up and tired of the bullshit that the Big Three continue to peddle. We knew this was going to be a fight. I want you to remember what the founding generation of the UAW had to do just to win their union. They had to sit-down in the plants. They had to fight company goons. They knew that nothing is given to us. If we want higher wages, better benefits, a better future for ourselves and our families, then we will have to fight like hell to win it. But know this: we are NOT alone. Our fight is not just for ourselves but for every worker who is being undervalued, for every retiree who's given their all and feels forgotten, and for every future worker who deserves a fair chance at a prosperous life. That’s why the public overwhelmingly supports us right now. 75% of the public supports us in the fight against the Big Three. That’s because we are all fed up of living in a world that values profits over people. We’re all fed up with seeing the rich get richer while the rest of us continue to just scrape by. We’re all fed up with corporate greed. And together, we’re going to fight to change it. UAW family, the race to the bottom ends on September 14. Be ready."

Our Demands vs. Ford’s Proposals

cskelly — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 18:06:28 +0000

Click here for the document above comparing our economic demands with Ford’s unacceptable counterproposal. This is the full document that was shown on yesterday’s Facebook Live with UAW President Shawn Fain. In our “Facts About Ford” section, we’ve also posted slides from that Facebook Live showing Ford’s surging profit for the second quarter of 2023 and the billions of dollars in dividends the company is shoveling to shareholders instead of workers. Down below you can also take a closer look at: Ford’s proposal to have unlimited numbers of temps stuck at wages less than 60 percent of our top rate; and the concessionary profit-sharing plan Ford is pushing.

Despite Stalling Tactics of University, WPI Graduate Workers Win First Contract

jmayhugh — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 17:23:53 +0000

This week, 600 graduate student researchers and instructors (the WPI Graduate Workers' Union) ratified their first contract at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a 97.5% yes vote. Workers at the university achieved a very strong first contract that includes:

20% raises in the first year with salary increases that bring workers' salary up from $32,000 to a minimum floor of $39,000. Many workers will make over $40,000 for the first time at WPI through the life of this agreement.
Raise in the hourly minimum rates by $3-5/hour for hourly administrative workers, instructors, and researchers. Annual raises to the minimum rate of $.33 each year thereafter.
Health insurance premiums 100% covered by the university for individual coverage and almost complete subsidy for family coverage.
Protections against harassment and discrimination, including bullying/power-based harassment with recourse to arbitration for all cases.
Agency shop language (instead of an open shop, which higher ed institutions routinely push for).
Guaranteed time off with a total of 32 days between vacation, holiday and personal time.
Eight weeks paid parental leave with the ability to request an additional 2-week paid leave.
Ten paid days for immigration leave, an issue core to the significant number of members who are international student workers.

WPI-GWU won their first contract in just nine months, quite an achievement in the Higher Education sector given that universities routinely and strongly resist unionization efforts, break the law, and stall negotiations. Workers at WPI first began organizing in the fall of 2020, reaching a majority in the spring of 2022. In November of last year, they won their NLRB election with an overwhelming 96% yes vote. “All of the credit for this successful contract campaign goes to the member-led organizing and bargaining committees,” Region 9A Director Brandon Mancilla said. “They were wonderfully supported by our International team of lead organizer, Josh Gilbert, and servicing representative, Mikayla Vu.”

Video: Big Three Online Training - Member Engagement and Organizing a Practice Picket/Rally

jmayhugh — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 22:30:27 +0000

The UAW held a Big Three online training session via Zoom on Thursday, August 31. Panelists discussed various topics regarding practice pickets and contract rallies they've held at their locals, and shared how they engage with local members to encourage them to get involved in the contract campaign. Panelists for the event included: Luigi Gjokaj (Vice President at Local 51), Kristian Graham (Recording Secretary at Local 228), and Jessica Merz (Financial Secretary at Local 160). UAW organizers Tom Ziegler and Krista Szafranski facilitated the discussion.

New Video Shows How the UAW Has Lifted Up Families Like President Fain’s and Is Fighting at the Big Three to Save the American Dream

jmayhugh — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 12:50:11 +0000

This Labor Day, the UAW released “Prosperity,” a new video showing how the union has helped lift millions of American families into the middle class. One of those families was UAW President Shawn Fain’s. In the video, partly filmed at two practice pickets last month in Louisville, Fain tells of the poverty his grandparents endured in Kentucky and Tennessee and the prosperity they found in the UAW-organized auto plants of Kokomo, Indiana. “As the companies prospered, so did my family,” Fain says in the video. “That didn’t just magically happen. It happened because of the UAW. It happened because they and their coworkers came together, they organized and they fought for a greater share of the value they created.” The video’s release comes as UAW members are fighting in Big Three negotiations to restore the strong pay and benefits that were stripped from autoworkers hired after 2007.

An Aug. 31 Washington Post story focused on the struggles of “temporary” workers at Stellantis who start at just $15.78 an hour, are often denied full-time jobs for years, and have little to no control over their schedules.
The Detroit Free Press on Sept. 2 documented the chasm between CEO and worker pay at the Big Three, with Ford CEO Jim Farley making 281 times more than the company’s median employee, GM’s Mary Barra making 362 times more, and Stellantis’ Carlos Tavares making 365 times more.

A Gallup poll last week found that 75 percent of Americans back UAW members in their negotiations with the Big Three. Just 19 percent side with the companies. In the video, Fain notes that Big Three CEOs received average raises of 40 percent over the last four years. “We know our members are worth the same and more,” Fain says. “That’s why we are demanding a 40 percent wage increase for autoworkers.” The UAW argues that the Big Three can easily afford the union’s demands. Collectively, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis made $250 billion in North American profits from 2013 to 2022. In just the first six months of 2023, they raked in $21 billion in total profits. The UAW recently raised strike pay to $500 per week per member and has over $825 million in the union strike fund. Last month, UAW members voted by 97% to authorize a strike in preparation for the September 14th deadline for contract negotiations with the Big Three.

VIDEO: “Justice for Belvidere”

jmayhugh — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:19:37 +0000

BELVIDERE, Ill. – Today the UAW released a new video, “Justice for Belvidere,” that captures the heartbreak and the hope of workers at an Illinois assembly plant idled by Stellantis in February. Despite making $14.7 billion in North American profits in 2022, Stellantis suspended operations at Belvidere Assembly, laying off more than 1,300 workers. Multiple reports indicate that the Big Three automaker is moving production to Toluca, Mexico. “You’re destroying families, you’re destroying relationships,” says Dawn Simms, a 24-year assembly worker at Belvidere and member of UAW Local 1268. “You got your record profit, you know. But at what cost?” Over the last two decades, the Big Three have shut down or spun off 65 plants. While the Belvidere shutdown is a familiar story, the UAW’s aggressive and creative response to it is not. In ongoing contract talks with the Big Three, the union has made Belvidere a centerpiece of its proposals to stop plant closures. Those include the right to strike over shutdowns and a Working Family Protection Program that would keep product in the plants and workers on the job. The UAW has also pushed for the federal government to invest in programs that will boost domestic manufacturing and encourage the retooling of Big Three plants to produce electric vehicles (EVs). Just last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $15.5 billion in grants and loans that would support the conversion of plants like Belvidere for EV production. Between massive government subsidies for EVs and Stellantis’ record-breaking profits, the money is there to bring good jobs back to heartland towns like Belvidere. The UAW supports the transition to EVs, but it must be a just transition that supports good-paying union jobs, not another race to the bottom that further subsidizes corporate greed. Collectively, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis made $250 billion in North American profits from 2013 to 2022. In just the first six months of 2023, they raked in $21 billion in total profits. There are just eight days left until the Sept. 14 expiration of the contract between the Big Three and 150,000 members of the UAW. Last month, union members voted by 97% to authorize a strike. The union recently raised strike pay to $500 per week per member and has over $825 million in its strike fund.

Statement from UAW President Fain on GM's Latest Proposal

jmayhugh — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 16:58:34 +0000

In response to GM’s proposal submitted on September 7, UAW President Shawn Fain released the following statement: “After refusing to bargain in good faith for the past six weeks, only after having federal labor board charges filed against them, GM has come to the table with an insulting proposal that doesn’t come close to an equitable agreement for America’s autoworkers. GM either doesn’t care or isn’t listening when we say we need economic justice at GM by 11:59pm on September 14th. The clock is ticking. Stop wasting our members’ time. Tick tock.”

Breaking Down GM’s Insulting Offer

jmayhugh — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:17:22 +0000

On September 7, General Motors finally submitted their first counterproposal to the economic demands that we put on the table more than a month ago. As UAW President Shawn Fain said, it is “an insulting proposal that doesn’t come close to an equitable agreement for America’s autoworkers.” Click here for a comparison of our Members’ Demands to their unacceptable offer.

After Weeks of Delay, Company Comes Back With Unfair Offer

cskelly — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 19:25:23 +0000

On Sept. 8, Stellantis finally came back with a counterproposal to our core economics demands. It's a deeply unfair offer. The wage proposal doesn't make up for inflation, let alone make up for past losses. Click here to see a side-by-side comparison of our demands and their unfair offer.

Video: UAW Fights Back Against Corporate Media

jmayhugh — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:12:46 +0000

DETROIT – On Sept. 7, the UAW released a new video that shows how some in the corporate media are parroting pro-company talking points in their reporting on negotiations between the union and the Big Three automakers. In the video, UAW President Shawn Fain debunks a Sept. 5 NBC Nightly News story claiming that autoworkers taking action will drive car prices higher. Fain notes that over the last four years the average price of a new car has increased by 30 percent while autoworker wages have risen only 6 percent. During that time, the Big Three have made massive profits. They made a combined $21 billion in total profits in just the first six months of this year. “But you don’t hear the media wringing their hands over how Big Three profits are driving up the cost of cars,” Fain says in the video. “You don’t see big, splashy nightly news segments on how consumers will be impacted by companies choosing to spend billions on executive salaries, stock buybacks, and special dividends. No, you only hear these concerns when the working class stands up and demands a fair share of the value we produce.” The Big Three CEOs averaged 40 percent raises over the last four years, and UAW members are demanding 40 percent increases over the next four years. The call for that double-digit increase comes after years of stagnant autoworker wages that were more than wiped out by inflation. The UAW gave the Big Three its core economic demands, the Members’ Demands, more than a month ago. But only in the last week did Ford and then General Motors come back with counterproposals. In separate statements, Fain has called the Ford offer “an insult to our very worth,” and the GM proposal one that “doesn’t come close to an equitable agreement for America’s autoworkers.” In response to GM and Stellantis dragging their feet in negotiations, the UAW on Aug. 31 filed unfair labor practice charges against both companies for bargaining in bad faith. “Now with just days to go, the Big Three automakers are calling on the corporate media to scare the public about what could happen if autoworkers stand up for our families and our communities and walk out on strike,” Fain says. UAW contracts with the Big Three expire at 11:59 pm on Sept. 14.

Over 1,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Workers Walk Out on Strike

jmayhugh — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:58:28 +0000

UAW Local Union 1781 (Region 1), UAW Local Union 2500 (Region 1), UAW Local Union 2145 (Region 1D) and UAW Local Union 2256 (Region 1D), entered into negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan earlier this summer. Their objective: to secure job stability and equitable pay for all dedicated union members who tirelessly provide customer service for the healthcare giant. We provide essential service to retirees Medicare Advantage members, the general public and federal employees. These services include and are not limited to pre-authorization, claim support, explanation of benefits, billing, customer call centers, and provider services. Our primary goal was to abolish the multi-tiered pay structure, a system that currently requires a staggering TWENTY-TWO years for an employee at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to reach pay parity. Such a system is untenable for our union brothers and sisters, who strive to provide their families with a comfortable standard of living. Furthermore, we implored Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to cease outsourcing and contracting out job classifications previously negotiated by our union. This practice has led to a significant decrease in our membership by over 40 percent in the last decade. The Union proposed strategic solutions to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to correct these discrepancies and begin the process of acknowledging the value of our work, our commitment to customer service, and to ensure equal pay for equal work. Regrettably, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan rejected our demands, steadfastly maintaining a twenty-year service length prerequisite for pay equality. They also expressed an unwavering intention to continue outsourcing our union work without any restriction. In response to this ineligibility to negotiate, we have called for a strike action - a demand for fair treatment and respect for our workforce. The time has come to say: Enough is enough! The UAW insists that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan value their front-line union employees as much as they value their profit margins and the CEO’s substantial $17 million salary in 2022. Our call for job security, pay equality, and robust benefits must be met, especially in these times of soaring corporate profits. We, UAW Local Union 1781 (Region 1), UAW Local Union 2500 (Region 1), UAW Local Union 2145 (Region 1D) and UAW Local Union 2256 (Region 1D), urge you to lend your support to our brothers and sisters in their pursuit of a fair and equitable agreement that guarantees job security. We stand firm on our demand for fairness, equality, and respect. Together, we can bring about positive change.

The Stand Up Strike Begins at the Big Three

cskelly — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:26:21 +0000

UAW family and allies --

A few minutes ago, thousands of UAW members at Ford, GM, and Stellantis walked out, marking the beginning of the Stand Up Strike.

UAW members at GM Wentzville Assembly, Local 2250 in Region 4 are ON STRIKE.

UAW members at Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex, Local 12 in Region 2B are ON STRIKE.

UAW members at Ford Michigan Assembly Plant – Final Assembly and Paint, Local 900 in Region 1A are ON STRIKE.

This fight is our generation’s defining moment. Not just at the Big Three, but across the entire working class.

We will stand up for ourselves. We will stand up for our families. We will stand up for our communities.

Join us.

UAW Releases New Video, “Corporate Greed,” on What’s Really Going on in the Auto Industry

jmayhugh — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 16:57:58 +0000

DETROIT – The UAW just released “Corporate Greed,” a new video detailing what’s driving the ongoing strike at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. It features dramatic footage from the union’s rally and march in downtown Detroit on Friday, when thousands of UAW members and supporters gathered on the first day of their historic Stand Up Strike. The video can be accessed at this link, and the media is invited to use the footage. The video digs down into statistics showing how UAW members were left behind as the Big Three funneled their extreme profits to CEOs and wealthy investors. Over the last four years:

Big Three profits have gone up 65 percent
CEO pay at the companies has gone up 40 percent
Big Three spending on stock buybacks is up 1,500 percent
Average new car prices are up 34 percent
Inflation is up 20 percent
Autoworker wages are up just 6 percent

“They pretend that the sky will fall if we get our fair share of the quarter of a trillion dollars the Big Three has made over the past decade,” UAW President Shawn Fain says in the video. “They want to say that our righteous fight for a higher quality of life for the working class would wreck the economy. We’re not going to wreck the economy, we’re going to wreck their economy because it only works for the billionaire class.” Ford, General Motors and Stellantis all took more than a month to respond to the UAW’s Members’ Demands and failed to put fair contract offers on the table. When the car companies’ contracts expired on Sept. 14, the UAW launched a “Stand Up Strike” and for the first time ever struck all of the Big Three at once. The Stand Up Strike is a new approach to striking. Instead of striking all plants all at once, select locals have been called on to “Stand Up” and walk out on strike. If the automakers fail to offer fair contracts going forward, more locals will be called on to Stand Up and join the strike. The first three plants to go out on strike are: GM Wentzville Assembly, Local 2250 in Region 4; Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex, Local 12 in Region 2B; and Ford Michigan Assembly Plant – Final Assembly and Paint only, Local 900 in Region 1A. A recent Gallup poll found that 75 percent of Americans back UAW members in their negotiations with the Big Three. Just 19 percent side with the companies.

VIDEO: Blue Cross Blue Shield Workers Continue Holding the Line for Fair Contract, Call for Support

jmayhugh — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:39:47 +0000

Over 1,000 workers at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan continue to strike against the company as they demand a new contract that addresses numerous issues, including job outsourcing, wage disparities, and unfair labor practices. Workers walked off the job on September 13 after company negotiators refused to take their demands seriously. "Over the years, we have lost so much work," said Local 1781 President, Tina Gates. "They've taken our work and given it to outside contractors. At one point we were over 4,000, 5,000 people (in the union) across the state. Now we have 1,300 people. So, we're tired of bleeding. We're tired of them taking our work." The biggest issue the UAW wants addressed is ending a multi-tiered pay structure that requires a worker to acquire twenty-two years of seniority to reach the top pay rate. "These people are the heart and soul of Blue Cross Blue Shield," said Steve Dawes, director of UAW Region 1D. "They are the ones who take care of the people when they are in the most important time of need in their life. When the CEO of this corporation makes well above $15 million a year and it takes a new hire here 22 years to reach top rate, we have a serious problem with this company.” "Just like the Big Three, Blue Cross Blue Shield workers are suffering as well," said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock. "The CEOs are making millions of dollars but they refuse to share the pie. No contract, no work. Stop the outsourcing." Mary Waters, Detroit City Council at Large, walked the picket line with strikers to help support their cause. "I'm going to be right here standing with my brothers and sisters every opportunity I can get until Blue Cross Blue Shield does exactly what they're supposed to do. And that's negotiating in good faith and making sure workers are taken care of and that workers are protected with healthcare and wages." The UAW is planning a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Family and Friends Day this Thursday, September 21. Each Local on strike is holding an event and more information can be found here. In a statement released on Monday, Region 1 Director LaShawn English called on supporters to "contact BCBS via the attached list. Request to speak to a UAW customer service representative immediately. Protest to the company for outsourcing our work, their unfair wages and refusing to provide all UAW employees with retiree healthcare. By standing together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that our struggle for a fair contract is not in vain." [foogallery id="37409"]

UAW President Shawn Fain Announces that Stand Up Strike Will Expand at Noon on Friday if Big Three Fail to Make Substantial Progress in Negotiations by the Deadline

jmayhugh — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 01:50:02 +0000

DETROIT – In a video posted on the UAW’s social media sites, President Shawn Fain announced a new strike deadline of this Friday, Sept. 22 at noon. If Ford, General Motors or Stellantis have not made substantial progress toward a fair agreement, the UAW will call on more members to join the Stand Up Strike. The video can be viewed at the UAW’s Facebook page and YouTube channel and the media is invited to download and share it. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis all took more than a month to respond to the UAW’s Members’ Demands and failed to put fair contract offers on the table. When the car companies’ contracts expired on Sept. 14, the UAW launched a Stand Up Strike and for the first time ever struck all of the Big Three at once. The Stand Up Strike is a new approach to striking. Instead of striking all plants all at once, select locals have been called on to “Stand Up” and walk out on strike. If the automakers fail to make progress in negotiations and bargain in good faith going forward, more locals will be called on to Stand Up and join the strike. The following is an excerpt from Fain’s remarks:

“We’ve been available 24/7 to bargain a deal that recognizes our members sacrifices and contributions to these record profits. Still the Big Three failed to get down to business.

That’s why, last week, our brave union family at Wentzville Assembly, Toledo Assembly, and final assembly and paint departments at Michigan Assembly were called on to Stand Up and go out on strike. And that’s exactly what they did. Just as importantly, all the rest of you stayed on the job. That is the only way this strategy works. We’re going to keep hitting the company where we need to, when we need to. And we’re not going to keep waiting around forever while they drag this out. I have been clear with the Big Three every step of the way. And I’m going to be crystal clear again right now. If we don’t make serious progress by noon on Friday, September 22nd, more locals will be called on to Stand Up and join the strike. That will mark more than a week since our first members walked out. And that will mark more than a week of the Big Three failing to make progress in negotiations toward reaching a deal that does right by our members. Autoworkers have waited long enough to make things right at the Big Three. We’re not waiting around, and we’re not messing around. So, noon on Friday, September 22nd is a new deadline. Either the Big Three get down to business and work with us to make progress in negotiations or more locals will be called on to Stand Up and go out on strike. Between now and then, UAW members will keep organizing actions. Those on strike will remain on strike. And those on the job will keep monitoring for unilateral changes made by management, which are NOT allowed under an expired contract. Keep organizing rallies. Keep organizing red shirt days. Keep up the energy and keep showing the companies that you are ready to join the strike if necessary. This is our generation’s defining moment. So be ready to Stand Up.”

Local 2083 Votes Down ZF Offer, Rallies for Strong Contract

jmayhugh — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:42:04 +0000

It's not just Big Three UAW members fighting for justice. Autoworkers across the supply chain, across the country, are on the move. In Alabama, workers at ZF who make parts for Mercedes have voted down the company's latest contract offer and are holding out for a better deal. Region 8 Director Tim Smith, along with several Region 8 International Staff, recently joined the leadership of Local 2083 in Tuscaloosa, AL. Regional leadership distributed leaflets to members at the worksite to educate, share information and provide an update on contract talks between the UAW and ZF industries. During several meetings, Director Smith addressed the membership on a number of topics. He led a solidarity chant to conclude the events: "Are we ready to fight?" Smith asked those in attendance. "Yes!" Local 2083 members responded. "Who are we?" Smith exuberantly asked with his fist in the air. "UAW!" was the response. "Can't hear you!" "UAW!" "One more time!" "UAW!" Local 2083 is standing in solidarity to fight for their right to have a strong contract and support their future.

VIDEO: Stand Up on the Job

jmayhugh — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:28:45 +0000

Hi, UAW. I'm Ben Dictor, an attorney with Eisner, Dictor and Lamadrid and counsel to your union in these negotiations. As you know, thousands of UAW members at the Big Three are holding strong on the picket line and your national negotiators are hard at work at the bargaining table. But for those of you working under an expired agreement, there's a lot you can do to help win this fight. Here's how you can Stand Up on the job. Working under an expired agreement gives the union important leverage at the negotiating table. If you haven't been called yet to Stand Up and strike, you still have a vitally important role to play in our fight for a just contract. The members who are remaining on the job are continuing our fight on the shop floor by helping the union identify attempts by the Big Three to make changes in your working conditions without bargaining. This is called enforcing the status quo. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) requires employers to bargain with the union representing their employees over any changes to their terms and conditions of employment. Because this legal obligation is so broad and covers so many things that go on in the workplace, employers often bargain for rights in a contract that permit them to make certain changes without bargaining with the union. This is usually found in a management's rights clause but can be found in various places throughout a collective bargaining agreement, when dealing with specific subjects. But the management's rights clause expired on September 14th. When the Big Three decided to let the contract expire instead of reaching a fair deal, they lose their right to make changes to your terms and conditions of employment. Now, if the Big Three want to make changes, they have to give the UAW advance notice and an opportunity to bargain. They cannot require the union to bargain over any proposed changes on a one-off or piecemeal basis. That means the union can insist that any changes to your terms and conditions of employment are only made as part of a complete agreement. Part of the Stand Up Strike is letting the company know that the UAW will not allow any unilateral changes to take place except as part of a new collective bargaining agreement. If management makes any changes in the workplace without bargaining, that could be a violation of federal law and the union will take immediate action. While the union is asking you to be ready to stand up and strike when called upon, it is important that you stand up on the job and fight back against unlawful changes you see in the workplace. You are the union's eyes and ears in your facility. We are asking you to be on alert for any changes that the company may be making now that the contract has expired. Be on the lookout for changes to things such as scheduling, hours, job assignments, and overtime, along with any changes the company might be making in anticipation of further strike action. In recent days, we've received reports that the company made changes before the contract expired in anticipation of widespread strikes. Your strike strategy is keeping them on their toes and they're beginning to feel the consequences of letting the contract expire. While the company might have had the right to make changes while the contract was in effect, any new changes would likely be a violation of federal law. So the company might be stuck with the decisions they made and conditions they created before the deadline. Enforcing the status quo is a powerful tool that the union can use to incentivize the company to get back to the table and bargain for a contract. The parts of the contract that the company benefits from have expired, but enforcing the status quo only works with your help. The union needs to take quick action when it discovers that a change in the status quo terms has happened or is about to happen. If management changes your schedule, hours, job assignments, overtime, including in anticipation of further strike action, we want to know about it. The UAW has set up a website where you can fill out a simple form for members to report anything they believe might be a violation of the status quo. You can find it at uaw.org/standup. When the union receives your report, the union's legal team will review it and may contact you for additional information. If the union believes that the company has made or is about to make an unlawful change in the status quo, the union will notify the company immediately and demand that they cease and desist. If the company refuses, the UAW can file charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Stand Up on the job to win a historic victory at the Big Three.

Video: UAW Marching Bass Band Drum

jmayhugh — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 19:20:08 +0000

"Hi, my name is Gavin Strassel and I'm the UAW archivist at the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University. This bass drum was part of a small marching band that came from UAW Local 3, which represented workers at the Dodge Main plant in Detroit. When the UAW finally organized Chrysler after a long sit-down strike in 1937, the workers marched out of the factory, and they were led by the marching band and this bass drum. The rhythmic pounding of the drum really added to the sense of triumph and was a huge moment for those workers." History of UAW Local 3: UAW Local 3 was the bargaining unit for workers at the Dodge Main Plant in Hamtramck, Michigan from 1935 to January 1980, when the Hamtramck Assembly was demolished. Its 26,000 members made it the largest single plant local in the country in 1937. The roots of UAW Local 3 lie in the company union Works Councils and AFL Federal Labor Union #18277, both of which functioned in the plant from 1933 to 1935. In 1935, FLU #18277 became the AFL-United Automobile Workers Union (UAW) and the ineffectivecompany-sponsored Works Council was transformed into the independent Automotive Industrial Workers' Association (AIWA) by early UAW leaders and Dodge Main workers Richard Frankensteen, John Zaremba, and C. Pat Quinn, with the support of Royal Oak radio priest, Father Charles Coughlin. After the infant UAW affiliated with the emerging Committee of Industrial Organizations at the second UAW Convention in 1936, the AIWA merged with the UAW-CIO making it the sole bargaining unit at the massive Dodge Main facility. Local 3 was involved in many important activities in the UAW. It served as the initial base of support for UAW vice-president Richard Frankensteen in the early intra-union factionalism of the UAW. During the UAW's formative years, Local 3 was famous in the Detroit area for its active flying squadron unit. It was also the birthplace of the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM). DRUM was organized by dissident African American unionists and spread to other auto plants during its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

UAW Expands Stand Up Strike Against General Motors and Stellantis

jmayhugh — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:23:56 +0000

DETROIT – UAW President Shawn Fain just announced on Facebook Live that the union, at noon today, will expand its Stand Up Strike against General Motors and Stellantis at 38 locations across 20 states. On Monday, Fain had announced that the union would expand its Stand Up Strike against automakers that did not make substantial progress toward a fair agreement. Neither company did. Approximately 5,600 Big Three workers will join the approximately 13,000 who are already on strike. The union is continuing to strike Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., but is not expanding its strike against the Dearborn-based automaker. The UAW and Ford did make substantial progress in bargaining over the last week. Following is an excerpt from Fain’s prepared remarks describing the status of negotiations. You can view the remarks as delivered at the UAW’s Facebook and YouTube channels: “As you know, we gave our Members Demands to the company two months ago. They wasted a whole month failing to respond. But there has been movement. In particular, we’ve made real progress at Ford. We’re not there yet, but I want you to see the direction that Ford is going, and what we think that means for our contract fight. At Ford, Rawsonville Components and Sterling Axle employees will now be on the same wage scale as assembly workers. We have eliminated that entire wage tier. At Ford, we have officially reinstated the COLA that was suspended in 2009. UAW family, many people said this couldn’t be done, but we just did it. We have also won, for the first time in our history, the right to strike over plant closures during the life of our agreement. I don’t have to tell you that this is an important victory in our fight to save our jobs, keep families together, and keep our communities from being gutted. At Ford we’ve also won additional job security for our members in the event of indefinite layoff. If that happens, our members, including temporary workers, will now receive income security for up to two years, with healthcare. We have moved Ford off of their concessionary formula to cut profit-sharing, and instead won an enhanced profit-sharing formula that would have resulted in a 13.3% increase for the average employee in payouts last year. We have won the immediate conversion of all current temps. And all temps will have profit-sharing after 90 days service. And there are no concessions on the table. All that represents serious movement on tiers, on COLA, on pay, and on job security. To be clear: we are NOT done at Ford. We still have serious issues to work through. But we do want to recognize that Ford is serious about reaching a deal. At GM and Stellantis, it’s a different story. We have won a serious victory at CCA and GMCH and have killed those two wage tiers. Those workers will now be on the same wage scale as assembly workers. Their first offer was a 0% raise for those workers. But without COLA and without strong Job Security, those gains are not protected. Both companies are still offering a deficient COLA that is projected to provide ZERO increases over the next four years. Both companies have rejected all of our job security proposals. Both companies have rejected our profit-sharing proposals. Both companies have rejected our proposals to convert temps. So today, at noon Eastern time, all of the parts distribution facilities of General Motors and Stellantis will Stand Up and Strike. We will strike 38 locations across 20 states, across all 9 regions of the UAW. At General Motors, we call on the CCAs at Pontiac, Willow Run, Ypsilanti, Davison Road, Flint, Lansing, Cincinnati, Denver, Hudson (Wisconsin), Chicago, Reno, Rancho Cucamonga, Fort Worth, Martinsburg, Jackson, Charlotte, Memphis, and Philadelphia to Stand Up and go on strike. At Stellantis, we call on the parts distribution centers at Marysville, Centerline Packaging, Centerline Warehouse, Sherwood, Warren Parts, Quality Engineering Center, Romulus, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, Atlanta, Winchester, Orlando, Dallas, New York, and Boston to Stand Up and go on strike. The plants that are already on strike will remain on strike, Local 2250 at GM Wentzville, Local 900 at Ford Michigan Assembly, and Local 12 at Stellantis Toledo Assembly. We invite and encourage everyone who supports our cause to join us on the picket line, from our friends and families up to the President of the United States. The way you can help is to build our movement and show the companies that the public stands with us and stands with our elected national negotiators. As promised, we are expanding the Stand Up Strike in response to the lack of progress in bargaining with General Motors and Stellantis. We will shut down parts distribution until those two companies come to their senses and come to the table with a serious offer.” [foogallery id="37496"]

Call to Action: Support Striking Blue Cross Blue Shield Workers

jmayhugh — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:27:29 +0000

Dear UAW Brothers, Sisters, and Supporters: UAW Locals 1781, 2145, 2256, and 2500, along with Regions 1, 1A, and 1D are reaching out to you because we are facing significant challenges in negotiating a fair contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. BCBSM has refused to accept our demands and is outsourcing our work to third parties. This endangers our livelihoods and collective bargaining strength. We urge all supporters to contact BCBSM via the list below. Request to speak with a UAW Customer Service Representative immediately. Protest to the company for outsourcing our work, their unfair wages, and refusing to provide all UAW employees with retiree healthcare. Blue Cross is the largest health insurer in Michigan. Please show Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan that you support UAW employees by calling as many phone numbers as you can. By standing together, we can change the world. Unity and perseverance make us strong and will send a strong message. Thank you for your unwavering support in this critical moment. By standing together, we can ensure our voices are heard and that our struggle for a fair contract is not in vain.

Important Progress at the Table, but Deal Not Done Yet

cskelly — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 15:35:02 +0000

Sept. 23, 2023 – Our UAW-Ford national negotiators have made important progress at the bargaining table, so for now our Stand Up Strike is not expanding against Ford. Our striking members at UAW Local 900 at the Michigan Assembly Plant are putting pressure on the company to move and they will continue holding the line. Here are the historic gains we’ve made at the table so far:

Rawsonville Components and Sterling Axle employees will now be on the same wage scale as assembly workers. We have eliminated that entire wage tier.
Reinstated the COLA formula that was suspended in 2009.
We have also won, for the first time in our history, the right to strike over plant closures during the life of our agreement.
We’ve won additional job security for our members in the event of indefinite layoff. If laid off, our members, including temporary workers, will now receive income security for up to two years, with healthcare.
We’ve won an enhanced profit-sharing formula that would have resulted in a 13.3% increase for the average employee in payouts last year. And all temporary workers will have profit-sharing after 90 days service.
We have won the immediate conversion of all temporary employees with at least 90 days of employment upon ratification. And there are no concessions on the table.

These are historic gains, but we have further to go. To see what we’ve won and some of the areas where progress still needs to be made, look at the charts below. These charts show where we stand at all three automakers and why we have expanded our Stand Up Strike at GM and Stellantis. [foogallery id="37513"]

More Members Stand Up in Our Strike Against GM

cskelly — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 15:34:59 +0000

Sept. 23, 2023 – Our national negotiators told GM they had to make substantial progress at the table by noon Friday or we would expand our Stand Up Strike. Unfortunately, the company kept moving slowly, so yesterday we called on members at the company’s 18 parts distribution facilities across the country to Stand Up and join our Local 2250 members on strike at Wentzville Assembly in Missouri. Even though we had to make this move, our Wentzville strikers have helped us take a critical step forward:

We have won a serious victory at CCA and GMCH and have killed those two wage tiers. Those workers will now be on the same wage scale as assembly workers.

That is progress we can all be proud of. But as the charts below show, we still have a long way to go. The charts detail the status of negotiations at all three companies. As you’ll see, our Stand Up Strike is moving Ford, and that is why we have not expanded our strike there. However, Stellantis, like GM, is refusing to make significant progress and so the Stand Up Strike there has expanded to its 20 parts facilities. Our strategy is applying pressure where it is most needed. [foogallery id="37513"]

Our Stand Up Strike at Stellantis Expands to 20 Parts Facilities

cskelly — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 15:34:56 +0000

Sept. 23, 2023 – Our national negotiators warned Stellantis that noon Friday was a hard deadline. We told them that they had to make significant progress or our Stand Up strike would expand. The company did not listen and so yesterday we called on members at all of Stellantis’ 20 parts distribution facilities across the country to Stand Up and join our strikers at Toledo Assembly. The chant of our workers in Toledo is, “No Justice, No Jeep.” Now Stellantis will have no parts. Our Stand Up strategy is applying more and more pressure on the company to get serious and reach the strong contract we all deserve. Stellantis has made some movement on wages, but they have not offered the kind of increase that would make up for years of stagnant pay. The charts below shows how far we still have to go at Stellantis. They also show how we’re doing at all Big Three companies. As you’ll see, our pressure on Ford is starting to pay off. That’s why we did not expand our Stand Up Strike there. But GM, like Stellantis, is failing to make substantial progress, so parts distribution workers there have also joined our Stand Up strike. With this strategy, we have the ability to apply pressure where it’s needed and win our fair share of the record profits we’ve generated over the last decade and more. [foogallery id="37513"]

UNION PLUS - LIFE INSURANCE

uawrescandon — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:09:54 +0000

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month - a reminder of the importance of financial planning for your family. Learn how affordable a Union Plus Term Life Insurance Plan is, and how easy it is to apply online. Click here to learn more.

VIDEO: Message from UAW VP Mike Booth to Local 2250 in Wentzville, MO

jmayhugh — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:25:46 +0000

Hello everybody at Local 2250. We're here today with the 2023 national negotiators. We would like to thank you for when you were called, you led the charge to stand up and strike General Motors. This strike is about equal pay for equal work, job security, and most importantly, respect. Long hours, stagnant wages, lack of family time, lack of retirement security, double digit inflation have us all frustrated. Let's talk about our storied history of the UAW. On November 9, 1947, at the 7th UAW Constitutional Convention, Walter Reuther spoke about our practical job. In this speech, he states: "We have a practical job in America of giving more than lip service to noble principles; of taking fancy promises and translating them into the practical things of life; into bread and butter, into decent homes, into economic security for the great mass of people." He went on to say: "We want economic security in the world but we don't want to pay the price of human freedom to get that security. We want security with freedom, and that is the thing we are fighting for." Those words were spoken 76 years ago. These words ring true today as they did in 1947. Hold the line and stay true to your beliefs. We are proud to see the community support that's been shown to the members as they walk the strike line. From food being donated to splitting firewood, or the simple honk of the horn. We see the community supports you. There's been a conversation with Local 2250's Shop Chair Jon Daughtery and President Katie Deatherage to express our support. If Local 2250 needs anything, please, give us a shout. We, the entire UAW GM 2023 national negotiating team truly appreciate each and every one of you at Local 2250. When asked, you chose to chose to stand up, and we stand with you.

UAW President Shawn Fain Statement on Ford's Announcement to Pause Construction on Marshall EV Battery Plant

jmayhugh — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 22:43:56 +0000

UAW President Shawn Fain released the following statement regarding Ford's announcement that they are pausing construction on the Marshall EV Battery Plant: "This is a shameful, barely veiled threat by Ford to cut jobs. Closing 65 plants over the last 20 years wasn't enough for the Big Three, now they want to threaten us with closing plants that aren't even open yet. We are simply asking for a just transition to electric vehicles and Ford is instead doubling down on their race to the bottom."

New UAW Video on Combating Plant Closures Features Footage of Donald Trump Falsely Promising Autoworkers He Would Save Their Jobs

jmayhugh — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 22:13:01 +0000

DETROIT – The UAW released a new video, “Hometowns,” about the union’s fight in negotiations to stop plant closures that have devastated communities across the Midwest. The video features 2017 footage of Donald Trump falsely promising autoworkers in Ohio he would save their jobs. The ex-president is holding a rally today at a non-union factory in Metro Detroit. The video can be accessed at this link, and the media is invited to use the footage. The Big Three have closed or spun off 65 auto plants over the last 20 years. “Hometowns” shows the damage those closings have caused and focuses on two UAW contract proposals that would keep auto plants open:

The right to strike over plant closures, a right UAW members have never had but have now won at Ford.
The Working Family Protection Program, which would ensure that automakers trying to close a plant must pay UAW members to keep working.

“Hometowns” mentions recent closures at all three companies, but looks most closely at the personal toll of General Motors’ shuttering of the Lordstown Assembly Plant in 2019. UAW Region 2B Director David Green followed his father into GM Lordstown and felt he had “hit the lottery” when he got the job. But Green was president of the local union as GM shut the plant and saw the ripple effects that ravaged the local economy. Dustin Rose, a former Lordstown worker who grew up near the plant, saw friends and family scatter when it closed and went through a divorce when he had to transfer to a GM facility in Western New York. GM, Ford and Stellantis have all been highly profitable for more than a decade, but they continue to close plants. The Big Three made a quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits over the last ten years. They made $21 billion in total profits in the first six months of this year. The UAW has said record profits should mean record contracts and put its Members’ Demands on the table back in mid-July. All three automakers took more than a month to make their economic counterproposals and have so far failed to reach fair agreements. The UAW launched its historic Stand Up Strike against all three automakers when the contracts expired on Sept. 14, and 18,600 UAW members are now on strike at 41 Big Three facilities in 21 states. Click here for a full list and map of the facilities on strike.

Workers at Detroit’s Casinos are Voting to Authorize Potential Strikes

jmayhugh — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 20:09:56 +0000

Workers at Detroit’s MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood at Greektown, will cast ballots on whether to authorize strikes as they negotiate new union contracts Detroit, MI— As more UAW autoworkers join picket lines, another group of workers from the Motor City is taking the first step towards potential strikes. On Friday, the workers who staff the majority of the operations at Detroit’s three casinos—including the slots and table games on the gaming floors as well as restaurants, bars, retail outlets, hotels, cleaning, maintenance and more—are holding a vote that, if passed, could pave the way for potential strikes at the casinos. Workers have been in negotiations with the casinos since early September. Their top priority is winning wage increases to keep up with the rising cost of living. Following COVID shutdowns, Detroit casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover. Now, workers are struggling to make ends meet, even as the industry generates all-time record high gaming revenues from in-person and online gaming. Should workers authorize a strike in Friday’s vote, the worker Negotiating Committee of the Detroit Casino Council (DCC) could call for strikes as soon as mid-October, when contracts expire. The DCC is comprised of 5 unions that represent workers at the three casinos: UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. Together the DCC partner unions collaborate to negotiate with the three casinos. Members of the DCC worker negotiating committee and union officials are available for interviews. Please contact to coordinate. The results will be released after ballots are counted after voting ends at 9:00pm. Contact: Tiffany Ten Eyck, 313-515-1807, tteneyck@unitehere.org

# # #

The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States including Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

UAW Expands Stand Up Strike Against General Motors and Ford at Noon Eastern

jmayhugh — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:57:36 +0000

DETROIT – UAW President Shawn Fain just announced on Facebook Live that the union will expand its Stand Up Strike against General Motors and Ford at GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Ford’s Chicago Assembly. An additional 7,000 UAW members at these two plants will join the strike at Noon Eastern Time. This brings the total number of Big Three strikers to 25,000 members at 43 facilities in 21 states. There was no additional strike action announced at Stellantis, due to considerable progress in bargaining moments before the broadcast. Following is an excerpt from Fain’s prepared remarks describing the status of negotiations. You can view the remarks as delivered at the UAW’s Facebook and YouTube channels: “Over the last week, the vice presidents, your national negotiators, and my office have been working night and day to bargain a record contract that reflects the record profits we have produced for the Big Three. Sadly, despite our willingness to bargain, Ford and GM have refused to make meaningful progress at the table. That is why at noon Eastern today, we will expand our strike to these two companies. To be clear, negotiations have not broken down. We are still talking with all three companies. I am still very hopeful that we can reach a deal that reflects the incredible sacrifices and contributions our members have made over the last decade. But I also know that what we win at the bargaining table depends on the power we build on the job. It’s time to use that power. That is why I’m calling on an additional 7,000 members across Ford and GM to go on strike starting at noon Eastern today. I am calling on Ford’s Chicago Assembly plant to Stand Up and go on strike. And I’m calling GM’s Lansing Delta Township to Stand Up and go out on strike. Let me be clear and this is important: Lansing Regional Stamping WILL CONTINUE WORKING. Our courageous members at these two plants are the next wave of reinforcements in our fight for record contracts. We are NOT calling on any additional members at Stellantis to go on strike. Moments before this broadcast, Stellantis made significant progress on the 2009 COLA, the right to not cross a picket line, as well as the right to strike over product commitments, plant closures, and outsourcing moratoriums. We are excited about this momentum at Stellantis and hope it continues. Until then, we will keep building our Arsenal of Democracy. And we will win. Our strategy is working. As the President of the United States recently put it, UAW members “saved the automobile industry back in 2008. We made a lot of sacrifices. We gave up a lot. And the companies were in trouble. But now they’re doing incredibly well. And guess what? We should be doing incredibly well too.” Over the last ten years, the Big Three have made a record quarter of a TRILLION dollars in North American profits. Over the last six months, the Big Three have made a record $21 BILLION in total profits. We knew going into this fight that the road ahead was going to be difficult. And we knew that it was unlikely this would be quick. To quote the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. UAW family, you are the force that bends that arc. Our anger is righteous. Our struggle is just. We are fed up with corporate greed. We are fed up with corporate excess. We are fed up with breaking our bodies for companies that take more and more and give less and less. And as of noon eastern today, 25,000 of us will be on strike for a better future. To all our community and political allies, we invite you to join our picket lines. To our UAW family still working on the job, keep monitoring for status quo violations and keep refusing voluntary overtime. And keep showing the companies that you are ready to Stand Up when called. When we win this fight, when we right the wrongs of the past 15 years, and when we set a new course for future generations, it won’t be because of any President. Not the UAW President. Not the President of the United States. It will be because ordinary people did extraordinary things. Our solidarity is our strength. And right now, our strength is the hope of working-class people everywhere. Let’s Stand Up and win this thing. For ourselves. For our families. For our communities. For our country. And for our future.”

Detroit Casino Workers Vote 99% “YES” to Authorize a Strike

jmayhugh — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 06:49:32 +0000

As they negotiate for higher wages, workers vote overwhelmingly in favor of strike authorization at all three Detroit casinos

Detroit— This evening at 09:40pm, the Detroit Casino Council announced that members from MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood at Greektown and MotorCity casinos — voted 99% “yes” to authorize a strike, if deemed necessary by the worker negotiating committee. Workers flooded the Teamsters Hall today between 7:00am-9:00pm to cast their ballots with the results revealed shortly after the polls closed and ballots were counted. After the COVID shutdowns, Detroit casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover. In September 2020, the DCC agreed to a 3-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help their employers get back on their feet. Following the end of COVID restrictions and the legalization of online gaming, industry gaming revenues have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels to a new record high, but Detroit’s casino workers are getting left behind. Workers are hoping to win contract gains that would bring Detroit casino jobs back in line with the standard of good jobs that were promised to hospitality workers when voters approved legalizing casino gaming in 1996 and the City Council later authorized the three casinos. In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue through in-person and online gaming, the highest ever in the history of the industry. So far in 2023, reports from January through August show that revenues are even higher than last year, on track for another record-breaking year. Last month, MGM Grand Detroit’s parent company, MGM Resorts International, reported an “all-time record” for company-wide net revenues in the second quarter.[iv] In 2022, both MGM Resorts International and Hollywood at Greektown’s parent company, PENN Entertainment, reported higher revenues and profits in the US than pre-pandemic.[v] Since the pandemic, the two companies have spent heavily on stock buybacks to benefit their Wall Street shareholders, with MGM spending over $5.60 billion and PENN spending $750 million so far. Workers have been negotiating since early September, with a focus on securing wage increases that could make Detroit’s casino jobs family-sustaining jobs once again. Other issues include strengthening retirement and securing protections for workers impacted by the implementation of new technology. The strike authorization secured in Friday’s vote puts the decision of whether and when to strike in the hands of the Detroit Casino Council (DCC) worker negotiating committee, which is made up of 5 unions that represent most of the workers at the 3 casinos: UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. The DCC could call for strikes as soon as mid-October when contracts expire. “Workers are fed up in an economy that is broken: costs keep going up, but when profits came back to the gaming industry, they didn’t go into workers’ pockets. Just like auto workers, Blue Cross Blue Shield staff, UPS workers, writers, and hotel workers, Detroit casino workers are considering all options available to make sure one job in a Detroit casino is enough to raise a family on. We expect the casinos to heed our concerns to avoid a strike," said Nia Winston, UNITE HERE Local 24 President. “Detroit’s casino workers of the Detroit Casino Council voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike today because we’re the people who worked with the companies through COVID and put in the time, energy, hard work. The casino companies are making more than their fair share. But we’re not making ours. The message our members are sending to these companies is that the casino workers at MGM Grand, MotorCity and Hollywood at Greektown are ready to stand together and fight for what we deserve. I’m proud of my coworkers for taking this step to take care of their families and enjoy their lives," said Terri Sykes, UAW Local 7777 President, MotorCity Casino table games. Members of the worker negotiating committee and union officials are available for interviews. Please contact to coordinate. Contact: Tiffany Ten Eyck, 313-515-1807, tteneyck@unitehere.org

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ykendall — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 01:33:16 +0000

Aug 27 2023

UAW Workers at Ultium in Lordstown Vote 895 to 22 to Ratify Interim Agreement that Immediately Raises Wages

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – UAW workers at Ultium Cells voted 895 to 22 over the weekend to ratify an interim agreement that immediately raises wages $3 to $4 an hour and provides thousands of dollars in back pay for hundreds of workers. The interim deal came after months of negotiations and an ongoing UAW campaign to win justice for electric vehicle workers at Ultium and across the country. Negotiations for a complete first contract will continue between the union’s elected bargaining committee and Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution. “UAW members at Ultium are proving that we can raise standards at the electric vehicle facilities coming on line across America,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This agreement is an important step forward, but it’s only the first step. We will keep fighting at Ultium and all EV plants to win the same strong pay and safety standards that generations of autoworkers have won at GM, Ford and Stellantis.” “This overwhelming vote in favor of the interim agreement sends us back to the bargaining table with even more energy,” said Josh Ayers, chairman of the UAW bargaining committee at Ultium. “We will keep negotiating for a comprehensive contract that is transformative not only for our UAW family but also for our surrounding communities. This ratification vote brings us one step closer to making Ultium Cells a real career and not just a job.” Ultium Cells produces battery cells for GM’s growing electric vehicle fleet and is expected to qualify for more than $1 billion a year in federal tax credits when it is running at full capacity. Workers at Ultium Cells won their union in a landslide vote of 710 to 16 in December, 2022—becoming the first in the nation to successfully unionize at a large battery cell production plant. Workers organized in response to serious health and safety concerns and poverty wages. Both the dangerous conditions and poverty wages were extensively documented in a case study recently published by the UAW, entitled C Risk & Low Pay: Hazardous Conditions and Low Wages Show Standards Must be Raised at Battery Cells Plants Getting Billions in Taxpayer Dollars.” The UAW will continue to bargain over further wage increases until it has reached a complete first agreement with Ultium Cells. # # #

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UAW Workers at Ultium in Lordstown Vote 895 to 22 to Ratify Interim Agreement that Immediately Raises Wages

jmayhugh — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 13:30:31 +0000

ZF Workers in Alabama Mark 10 Days on Strike

jmayhugh — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 13:00:31 +0000

Over 100 union workers at ZF Chassis Systems in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, went on strike on Wednesday, September 20, demanding the end of a tier wage system and lower healthcare costs. The striking workers, UAW Local 2083 members, recently rejected a fourth contract proposal by the company which again failed to address workers’ core demands. “Every contract since the Great Recession, this company keeps taking and taking and they never want to give back to the workers,” says Tammy Slayton, who has worked at ZF for nine years. “We’re trying to get rid of the tier system. That’s our number one issue. We want everyone making the same wages.” Starting pay for new hires at ZF is only $15.50 an hour, with a top wage rate of $18.80. Tier one workers top out at $20.30 an hour. Slayton says she works with someone who has eighteen years seniority at the company who started at the company making $18.05. “He makes $20.30 today,” she says. “After eighteen years!” “Inflation is hammering these workers,” Local 2083 President Ronnie Mills says. “It’s time for ZF to do right the right thing. Our members just want what is fair. They don’t want the whole pie. They just want a piece of the pie.” ZF Chassis Systems produces axles for a nearby Mercedes-Benz factory. “We make 425 axles per shift, 850 per day, six days a week.” Mills says. “We’ve made this company so much money and the company still refuses to treat us right.” The Tuscaloosa ZF facility runs two shifts, and implements an alternate work schedule, which allows the company to avoid paying overtime even though workers are putting in well over 40 hours a week, working 10-to-12-hour shifts. New worker turnover is a major problem at the facility as well, due to the low wages being paid by ZF and the physical nature of the jobs being performed. “Have you ever picked up an axle?” Slayton asks. “There’s absolutely no reason why this company can’t afford to give Local 2083 members what they deserve,” Region 8 Director, Tim Smith, says. “ZF is making billions of dollars. It’s more of the same corporate greed we’re seeing all over our economy." Despite the challenges facing Local 2083 members, Slayton said workers at ZF feel empowered by the union’s more aggressive approach as of late. “This company hasn’t seen a union team that isn’t going to back down,” Slayton says. “But that’s exactly what they are seeing now. Our Region 8 leadership has our back in this fight against ZF and we know they’ll support us until we’ve won the contract we deserve.” “The morale on the picket line has been great,” Mills says. “I’m proud of these workers for standing up to the company and holding the line. Very proud.” [foogallery id="37647"]