Biden faces pressure to UAW picket line as Trump heads to Detroit
The Independent
23-09-19 21:59
US President Joe Biden has urged Detroit's "Big Three" automakers to negotiate with union leaders after American auto workers walked off the job to launch a strike. Biden said that auto companies in the country had seen record profits but that these had not been shared fairly with workers. He also announced that he would send adviser Gene Sperling and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to Michigan. However, the administration has paused those plans amid calls for more support from the White House and Biden himself. Former President Donald Trump is also making his own plans to meet striking workers at a rally in Detroit next week during the second debate among Republican presidential candidates.
The United Auto Workers union has threatened to expand its strike against General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis on Friday if substantial progress is not made in contract negotiations. The union has demanded a 40% wage increase over four years, better benefits, and other changes, while the automakers have offered raises of about half that amount. UAW President Shawn Fain said that if progress is not made by noon on Friday, more plants could walk out. The automakers argue that meeting all of the union's demands would put them at a severe competitive disadvantage to nonunion plants operated by Tesla and foreign automakers.
Anxious autoworkers ready to strike as Unifor, Ford extend bargaining
CBC
23-09-19 20:27
The Canadian division of the United Auto Workers Union (Unifor) has extended the strike deadline for Ford workers in the country. Union president Lana Payne announced a 24-hour extension to the strike deadline after a last-minute offer from Ford. Unifor is seeking improved pensions, higher wages, job security as the industry transitions to electric vehicles, and more investments. The union represents nearly 5,700 of Ford's Canadian workers. The extension comes as the UAW strike at Stellantis continues in the US.
Ford has reached a tentative deal with Canadian union Unifor to avoid a strike at its plants in Canada. The agreement, which is subject to ratification by Unifor members, comes after the union threatened to strike if a deal was not reached by the deadline. Unifor had been seeking improved wages and pensions, as well as support in transitioning to electric vehicles and additional investment commitments from Ford. The union will now focus on securing deals with General Motors and Stellantis. Meanwhile, the United Auto Workers union in the US is considering escalating its coordinated strikes against the Detroit Three automakers if progress is not made in talks.
Unifor and Ford reach tentative deal, averting strike
CBC
23-09-20 01:28
Unifor, the union representing autoworkers in Canada, has reached a tentative contract deal with Ford, avoiding a strike that would have affected around 5,600 workers. The details of the deal have not been disclosed, as members have yet to vote on it. However, Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Chair John D'Agnolo stated that the deal provides the financial security that members need. The agreement with Ford will serve as a template for negotiations with General Motors and Stellantis, as part of pattern bargaining. Unifor is seeking wage increases of 36% over four years.
Unifor reaches tentative deal with Ford, strike averted
The Toronto Star
23-09-20 01:27
Canadian union Unifor has reached a tentative deal with Ford Motor Co. that could prevent workers from going on strike. The proposed contract will be brought to union members for a vote. Negotiations with Ford are expected to set expectations for future contracts with General Motors and Stellantis. U.S. autoworkers are currently striking for higher wages, with Unifor also seeking significant increases along with improvements in pensions, job security, and the transition to electric vehicles.
CP NewsAlert: Unifor reaches tentative deal with Ford, strike averted
The Toronto Star
23-09-20 01:27
Canadian union Unifor has reached a tentative deal with Ford Motor Company, potentially avoiding a strike by workers. The proposed contract will be brought to union members for a vote. The negotiations with Ford will set expectations for contracts with General Motors and Stellantis. Meanwhile, U.S. autoworkers are currently on strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, pushing for wage gains of up to 40%. Unifor has not specified a wage increase but has emphasized higher wages, pensions, job security, and the transition to electric vehicles as key priorities.
Ford, Unifor reach deal averting strike by auto workers
The Globe and Mail
23-09-20 01:25
Ford Motor Co. of Canada and the Unifor union have reached a last-minute deal, avoiding a strike and setting the template for automotive labour in the electric age. The three-year contract covers 5,680 workers and addresses the issues raised by union members. The agreement is subject to a ratification vote by Ford workers. The talks were crucial for both sides as the industry transitions to electric-vehicle production, with automakers looking to manage labour expenses and unions seeking long-term job security.
US autoworkers to expand strikes amid contract stalemate
Guardian
23-09-21 11:00
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union in the US is set to escalate strike actions against car plants as it struggles to reach a deal with General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford. UAW president Shawn Fain announced that the union would launch a series of "stand up" strikes at individual car plants after failing to reach an agreement over a new union contract with the car companies. If no progress is made by noon on 22 September, more local unions will join the strike. The UAW represents nearly 150,000 autoworkers at the manufacturers but has chosen to select local unions to strike rather than staging a mass walkout.
VinFast discloses revenue surge in first report since blockbuster debut
Reuters
23-09-21 10:55
Vietnamese electric-vehicle manufacturer VinFast has reported a 131.2% increase in revenue in its first quarterly report since going public in August. The company posted revenue of VND7.95tn ($327m) for the second quarter, with a net loss of VND12.54tn, narrower than the VND13.65tn loss a year earlier. VinFast delivered 9,535 vehicles in the quarter, a more than fivefold increase from Q1. However, the majority of its revenue comes from sales to subsidiaries of its parent company, Vingroup.
Detroit Three under pressure to progress UAW talks, avoid wider auto strikes
Reuters
23-09-21 10:11
The United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Detroit Three automakers have one final day to make progress on a new contract before the UAW announces an expansion of its strikes. The strikes at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis have raised concerns about prolonged industrial action that could disrupt production and impact the supply chain. Stellantis has now joined GM and Ford in furloughing some employees at other factories due to parts shortages and other issues caused by the strikes. UAW President Shawn Fain has threatened to expand the strikes if there is no serious progress in talks. UAW workers are expected to rally in support of striking workers at Ford's Louisville assembly plant in Kentucky. Analysts believe that if the strikes continue, the next targets could be plants that build high-margin pickup trucks. The UAW is demanding a 40% pay hike and an end to the tiered wage structure. The strikes are likely to last several weeks and could impact third-quarter US GDP by 0.39% and global automotive supply chains. Rival automaker Toyota, which does not have unions at its US factories, is set to benefit from the ongoing strikes. Tesla investors believe that a hike in wages and benefits at Detroit competitors would widen Tesla's labor cost structure advantages.
Americans broadly support auto, Hollywood strikes -Reuters/Ipsos poll
Reuters
23-09-21 10:10
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in the United States found that a majority of Americans support striking workers in the auto industry and Hollywood. The poll revealed that 58% of Americans support the simultaneous strike by the United Auto Workers union against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis to win better pay and benefits. Similarly, 60% of Americans support the dual strikes by screenwriters and actors in the entertainment industry to win better pay and protections. Democrats showed strong support for the strikes, with 72% backing the auto workers strike and 79% supporting the Hollywood strikes. Surprisingly, a significant number of Republicans also expressed support for the striking workers, despite the party's traditional pro-business stance. The poll also found broad support for the labor movement in general, with 61% of respondents saying that labor unions have improved the quality of life for all Americans. The poll was conducted online and surveyed 1,005 U.S. adults.
Trump seeks to appeal to unlikely Republican voters
The Globe and Mail
23-09-21 10:00
Former US President Donald Trump is attempting to expand the reach of the Republican Party by appealing to two traditionally Democratic constituencies: organised labour and Black voters. Trump's efforts could enhance his chances of returning to the White House and potentially staying out of prison, as he could pardon himself if he avoids conviction in Georgia. Trump is positioning himself as a victim of biases within the American legal system, which appeals to Black voters who have a high rate of incarceration. While many labour union leaders criticise Trump, many union members see him as a spokesperson for workers who have been left behind in the economy. However, scholars believe it is unlikely that Trump will attract significant numbers of Black voters due to the threat he poses. Trump's appeal to these groups is based on his identity as a figure treated with contempt by ruling elites and a judicial system he argues is corrupt. Trump has long argued that American culture and economics are stacked against large segments of the population, aligning him with the critique of American society by some on the Democratic left.
Exclusive: JSW in talks with LG Energy Solution to make EV batteries in India -sources
Reuters
23-09-21 12:51
Indian steel-to-energy conglomerate JSW Group is holding early-stage discussions with LG Energy Solution (LGES) about manufacturing batteries in India for electric vehicles (EVs), according to unnamed sources. JSW is reportedly also in talks with battery manufacturers CATL, Panasonic and Toshiba. The company is aiming to establish a battery factory capable of producing 20 GWh of capacity by 2030. EV sales made up fewer than 2% of all cars sold in India last year but the government hopes to increase this to 30% by 2030 and is offering companies incentives to manufacture EV components locally.
UAW’s Demand for 32-Hour Workweek Takes Back Seat in Talks
WSJ
23-09-21 18:06
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has proposed a 32-hour workweek for 40 hours of pay, as part of ongoing negotiations with Detroit’s automakers. The demand, which has energised UAW members, has yet to receive significant attention at the bargaining table, with wage increases, cost-of-living adjustments and higher pay for entry-level workers taking priority. The carmakers have said that granting workers a paid personal day each week would increase labour costs to unsustainable levels and would necessitate the hiring of thousands more workers. One company estimated the additional cost at roughly $1.5bn p.a.
Trump says he always had autoworkers' backs. Union leaders say his first-term record shows otherwise
The Independent
23-09-21 17:27
Former President Donald Trump plans to visit Detroit next week to speak to striking autoworkers in an attempt to position himself as an ally of blue-collar workers. However, union leaders have criticized Trump's record in the White House, stating that his first term was not worker-friendly. Union leaders point to unfavorable rulings from the National Labor Relations Board and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as unfulfilled promises of automotive jobs. The labor board reversed several key Obama-era rulings that made it easier for small unions to organize and provided protection against anti-union measures for employees. The Supreme Court has also made several rulings against unions. Despite Trump's claims of economic gains and policies that benefited workers, job growth figures in the auto industry during his presidency contradict his claims. Union leaders argue that Trump's appointments to the labor board and the Supreme Court show a preference for business and property owners over workers. Trump hopes to win back the support of union-friendly states like Michigan in the 2024 election.
Trump says he always had autoworkers’ backs. Union leaders say his first-term record shows otherwise
Associated Press
23-09-21 17:27
Former President Donald Trump plans to visit striking autoworkers in Detroit next week and speak directly to former and current union members, in an attempt to position himself as an ally of blue-collar workers. However, union leaders have repeatedly rebuffed Trump, saying that his first term was far from worker-friendly and citing unfavorable rulings from the labor board and the US Supreme Court, as well as unfulfilled promises of automotive jobs. Union leaders also point to unfavorable Supreme Court rulings under a conservative majority that grew during Trump’s term. They highlight how the Trump-era board reversed a decision holding employers responsible for labor violations by subcontractors or franchisees, and gave a boost to companies that use contract labor, making organizing harder. Job growth figures in the auto industry during Trump’s presidency contradict his claim that the industry thrived under his watch. The total number of auto manufacturing jobs in Michigan stayed even during Trump’s presidency, and in Ohio the number of auto manufacturing jobs grew by fewer than 2,000.
For Tesla and Musk, Auto Strike Carries Benefits and Risks
NY Times
23-09-21 16:39
The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against the Detroit automakers presents both opportunities and risks for Tesla. On one hand, Tesla can take advantage of the work stoppages to extend its lead in battery technology and software without the interference of an activist union. This could allow Tesla to lower car prices and tighten its grip on the electric vehicle market. On the other hand, the UAW is gearing up to make another attempt at organizing Tesla’s factory workers, a move that poses risks for the electric vehicle maker and its CEO, Elon Musk. The UAW’s determination to secure a big victory for its members, coupled with the nationwide resurgence in union activism, means that Tesla will face increased pressure to unionize. Tesla workers have been discussing forming a union and seeking better representation and collective bargaining. While Tesla may be in a better position than its rivals to reward workers, labor organizing is an arduous process, and companies often do all they can to prevent unionization. However, Tesla’s strong financial performance, profitability, and ability to lower car prices could make it a tempting target for unions.
Detroit Three automakers enter final hours to avoid wider UAW strike
Reuters
23-09-22 05:11
The Detroit Three automakers and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union are entering the final hours to reach new labor agreements before the current coordinated strike expands to include more plants. Last week, the UAW launched simultaneous strikes at one assembly plant each of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler parent Stellantis. Analysts expect any wider strike to include plants that build highly profitable pickup trucks such as Ford's F-150, GM's Chevy Silverado, and Stellantis' Ram. If new deals are not reached by noon EDT on Friday, more UAW members are expected to join the strike. The standoff is fueling worries about prolonged industrial action that could disrupt production, ripple through the supply chain, and dent US economic growth. The automakers have proposed 20% raises over 4.5 years, while the UAW is seeking 40% and an end to the tiered wage structure.
Targeted auto strikes may spread to other states and cities as noon deadline set by union nears
Associated Press
23-09-22 11:50
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is expected to announce whether it will expand its strike action over demands for higher wages, shorter working hours and other benefits. The strike at plants operated by Ford, General Motors and Stellantis has so far involved fewer than 13,000 of the union’s 146,000 members, but has led to the layoffs of a few thousand additional workers. The union is seeking pay rises of 36% over four years, an end to lower pay scales for new workers and a 32-hour working week for 40 hours of pay.
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