Neal Boudette, an auto industry correspondent for The New York Times, discusses the possibility of a historic strike by 150,000 U.S. autoworkers against the Big Three car makers. He explores the significance of the industry, the history of the union and automakers, and the impact of foreign competition. The chapter also highlights workers' demands for higher wages, potential outcomes of a strike, and the implications for organized labor.
Read more
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
A potential strike by 150,000 US auto workers against the Big Three car makers looms large, which could result in billions of dollars in losses and disrupt local economies in Midwestern states.
The rise of foreign competition and decline in market share led to a shift in the auto industry, with compromises on labor terms and the introduction of the jobs bank in an attempt to save costs.
Deep dives
The Potential Strike: A Historic Moment of Labor Activism in the US
As labor activism intensifies in the United States, a potential strike by 150,000 US auto workers against the Big Three car makers looms large. This labor conflict could have a significant impact as the auto industry is the largest manufacturing sector, employing 150,000 UAW workers. The union's threat to strike simultaneously at Ford, GM, and Stellantis (parent company of Chrysler) is unprecedented and could result in billions of dollars in losses for the automakers and disrupt local economies in Midwestern states.
The Fractured Marriage: Past Triumphs and Decline of the Big Three Auto Makers
The history between the Big Three auto makers (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union reveals a tumultuous relationship. In the 1960s, when the Big Three dominated the US auto industry, the UAW had significant power and secured victories for its workers in contract negotiations. However, the rise of foreign competition and the decline in market share led to a shift in the industry. The 1980s marked a challenging period, with foreign automakers gaining ground and the Big Three struggling to compete. This era also witnessed the introduction of the jobs bank and compromises on labor terms in an attempt to save costs.
The Demands and Strategies of UAW's New Leader: A Potential Strike on the Horizon
With a new democratically elected leader, Sean Fane, at the helm of the UAW, the union is taking a more combative stance in negotiations with the Big Three. Fane is demanding higher wages, the restoration of retiree healthcare paid by the companies, changes to the wage structure, and a new work-life balance through a four-day work week. Fane's populist approach and confrontational tactics have rallied UAW members, but the feasibility of meeting all these demands remains uncertain. A strike is highly likely, and its outcome could have a significant impact on the future of organized labor and the union's power.
Later this week, as many as 150,000 U.S. autoworkers may walk out in a historic strike against the three Detroit automakers, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. The United Auto Workers union and the Big Three are still far apart in talks, and have only two days left to negotiate a new labor contract before the deadline.
Neal Boudette, who covers the auto industry for The New York Times, walks us through a tangled, decades-long dynamic and explains why a walkout looks increasingly likely.
Guest: Neal E. Boudette, an auto industry correspondent for The New York Times.