The strikes are likely to affect the future of the union and of America’s home-grown car industry at a time when US labour is flexing its might and the companies face a historic transition to making electric vehicles.
About 13,000 US car workers stopped making vehicles and went on strike Friday after their leaders could not bridge a giant gap between union demands in contract talks and what Detroitâs three carmakers are willing to pay.
Members of the United Auto Workers union began picketing at a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri; a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit; and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio.
It was the first time in the unionâs 88-year history that it walked out on all three companies simultaneously as four-year contracts expired at 11.59pm on Thursday.
The strikes are likely to affect the future of the union and of Americaâs home-grown car industry at a time when US labour is flexing its might and the companies face a historic transition from building internal combustion engines to making electric vehicles.
If they last a long time, dealers could run short of vehicles and prices could rise, impacting a US economy already under strain from elevated inflation. The walkout could even be a factor in next yearâs presidential election by testing Joe Bidenâs proud claim to be the most union-friendly president in American history.
Members of the United Auto Workers union began picketing at a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri; a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit; and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio.
It was the first time in the unionâs 88-year history that it walked out on all three companies simultaneously as four-year contracts expired at 11.59pm on Thursday.
The strikes are likely to affect the future of the union and of Americaâs home-grown car industry at a time when US labour is flexing its might and the companies face a historic transition from building internal combustion engines to making electric vehicles.
If they last a long time, dealers could run short of vehicles and prices could rise, impacting a US economy already under strain from elevated inflation. The walkout could even be a factor in next yearâs presidential election by testing Joe Bidenâs proud claim to be the most union-friendly president in American history.
