Odd Lots

What the UAW Wants From Its Fight With the Big Three

Aug 7, 2023

Dan Vicente, Director of UAW Region 9, advocates for autoworkers in the Northeast, while Alex Press covers labor movements for Jacobin magazine. They discuss the urgent contract expiration between the UAW and Big Three automakers, underscoring the push for fair wages amid a crucial shift to electric vehicles. The conversation dives into tiered pay structures, the rising activism among younger workers, and the collective struggle against corporate greed. They explore how these dynamics shape the future of labor rights in an evolving industry.

49:56

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Episode guests

Alex N. Press

Dan Vicente

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Labor Dynamics in the EV Transition

14min

Examining Union Dynamics and Tiered Pay Structures

2min

Union Challenges and Solidarity

14min

Union Demands in the EV Transition

5min

Navigating the Electric Vehicle Labor Landscape

15min

Navigating UAW's Ongoing Negotiation Challenges

3min

On September 14, the contract between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three carmakers (GM, Ford and Stellantis) is expiring — and the possibility of a strike is real. This comes at a delicate time for multiple reasons. The labor market is tight, which means workers have other options. Inflation is high. And the auto industry is undergoing a major shift to the electric vehicle market, which may change the composition and pay of the labor force. The stakes are high. So what does the union want and how does it fit into the goals of the broader labor market? To understand more, we speak with Dan Vicente, the director of UAW Region 9, as well as Alex Press, a labor reporter at Jacobin magazine.

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