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October 6, 2023 |
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Friend,
The power of the strike was made evident today as United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain announced that General Motors has agreed to a MAJOR demand: all new electric battery facilities will be represented under the UAW master contract. The impact of this win cannot be understated. As we shift to a just transition and a boom in electric vehicle manufacturing, the United Auto Workers have secured safer and more equitable careers at General Motors for generations to come. Fain was clear that this victory was a direct result of the power of auto workers. It’s now on Ford and Stellantis to listen to the chorus of workers demanding a just transition.
Negotiations on wage increases, Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA), and the treatment of temporary employees have progressed. As a result, the UAW did not expand their “stand up” strike today. But auto workers still need our support!
Tomorrow (Saturday October, 7) you can participate in a national day of action in your community:
In Solidarity,
Michaela Winter Organizer Jobs With Justice
P.S. Keep scrolling for other important headlines from the labor movement! |
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5 things to know about the Kaiser Permanente strike |
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"Labor unrest following high inflation and an increased cost of living hit a new high point Wednesday, as more than 75,000 health care workers with hospital chain Kaiser Permanente went on strike in multiple U.S. states. Unions said it’s the biggest health care strike in U.S. history, but they also expect it to last just three days." Read more. |
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UAW Supporters to Hit the Pavement at Dealerships |
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"When it comes to the impact of the strike on customers, auto dealerships are where the rubber meets the road. Profit margins from selling parts and performing repairs have historically been higher than from vehicle sales. During the GM strike in 2019, some frustrated customers who needed repairs vowed to never buy a GM car again, while others vented their anger at workers.
This makes dealerships an important site to engage the public and amplify the message of the workers: it is the Big 3, not the workers, who are responsible for parts shortages and delayed repairs." Read more. |
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New U.A.W. Chief Has a Nonnegotiable Demand: Eat the Rich |
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"He calls his caustic attitude “a migration,” something he took on “just from experience.” Likewise with his political journey. “I never planned on running for U.A.W. president,” he said. “It wasn’t on my radar. But things change.” The inexorable rise of the billionaires offered more motivation. There are an estimated 750 of them in the United States now, and they are quite a bit richer than they were. “We’re all fed up with seeing the rich get richer,” Mr. Fain declared recently." Read more. |
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Blue Cross Blue Shield and UAW negotiations are still ongoing |
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“On September 12, after weeks of continuous negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, the United Auto Workers union walked away from the bargaining table and went on strike at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Blue Care Network is not included in this action by the union. Blue Cross has put contingencies in place to enable our company to continue to provide services to providers, group customers and our millions of members around the nation. Some of those services – particularly those provided over the phone – will require longer wait times. We encourage our members and customers to use our online and app-based services during this period, and we regret the inconvenience caused by this situation – which we desire to resolve quickly, consistent with the spirit of collective bargaining, with our partners at the UAW.” Read more. |
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