If I told you there was some serious conversation about strike after strike, you’d probably think I was referring to the World Series, right? Speaking of which, congrats Dodgers fans!
Anyway, a much less fun strike discussion is being had in Michigan, where the UAW is once again threatening to walk out on Stellantis. Weren’t we just here not long ago??
Here are Five Fast Facts on a potential UAW strike:
- ⚠️ You’ve Been Warned - Last year, after the previous strike was resolved, the Big 3 automakers warned that the new contracts were cost prohibitive and would hinder their ability to do business properly, and especially in continued investment in Michigan. The UAW shrugged and said, “And?”
- 👈 The Backtracking - In the months since, the UAW is accusing Stellantis of backtracking on their contractual obligations to reopen Illinois’ Belvidere Assembly Plant and produce the next Dodge Durango in Detroit. Stellantis says market conditions are forcing them to re-evaluate their future investments.
- 😯 Side Notes - Some say part of the UAW’s problem is that they haven’t been properly focused on auto workers. About a quarter of the UAW’s members are now in higher education, and they have to be represented, too. It also doesn’t help that 11 former UAW leaders have recently been convicted of corruption and the current UAW president is under federal investigation.
- 😞 Lack Of Options - Unfortunately, workers are caught in the middle of this mess. Up until last year they could have found work outside of union influence, but Gov. Whitmer and the legislature repealed the Right to Work law, meaning workers are stuck under union control whether they like it or not. To be fair, they voted for it, so…be careful what you wish for? 🤷
- 💸 High Stakes - Both sides have a lot at stake here. Aside from the financial condition of Stellantis, there’s a serious question about whether the planned November walkouts are legal. And boy, the lawsuits are flying! According to the contract from last year, they’re not. But if Stellantis has breached that contract with their decisions, they are. Whoever is eventually on the wrong side of it will likely face stiff penalties. Paychecks will be pummeled.
🔥Bottom line: It’s probably going to get intense, and jobs may be at stake here, along with the financial health of Stellantis and the UAW. It’s hard to see where this will end, but whatever happens we’ll keep an eye on it for you.
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