US Auto Strike Continues, ‘No Excuse’ For Big Corporations

News Desk

Washington: The United Auto Workers Chief warned that a historic strike at the top three car manufacturers – General Motors, Ford and Stellantis – will expand if the companies do not raise their wage offers in ongoing negotiations.

The UAW is demanding improved conditions across the board for its workers, including a 40 per cent pay raise over the next four-year contract. All three companies have been offering raises of around 20 per cent.

Stellantis had offered its workers a “highly competitive” wage increase of 21 per cent over four years but United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain called that “definitely a no-go”.

If we don’t get better offers and take care of the members’ needs, we’re going to amp this up even more, Fain said, adding that the car manufacturers have “no excuse” for not resolving salary disputes given their massive profits in recent years.

A UAW source confirmed that the union held talks with General Motors on Sunday, the third day of the strike, but offered no further details.

The standoff has already fed an acrimonious debate in Washington over President Joe Biden’s economic policies ahead of the 2024 election and whether he has done enough to avert or resolve the auto dispute.

The strike threatens to disrupt the economy and rock the 2024 presidential election campaign.

Only 12,700 of the union’s 150,000 workers are currently on strike but Shawn’s comments pointed to the possibility of a much broader action, with echoes throughout the economy.

Republicans on Sunday tried to tie the strike to voters’ concerns about inflation and the Biden administration’s overall economic leadership.

Former Vice President Mike Pence – who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 election – blamed Biden’s stewardship for “the worst inflation in 40 years” and added that the administration’s push for electric vehicles would mainly benefit battery makers in China.

“The auto workers will not have any jobs because all of these cars are going to be made in China; the electric cars, automatically, are going to be made in China,” further stated Former President Donald Trump.

Liberal Senator Bernie Sanders stated that Biden had repeatedly said that a strong labour movement benefit all of us.

On social media, Vice President Kamala Harris said she agreed that a new contract should promote good middle-class jobs and ensure the UAW remains at the heart of our auto economy.

Incredible economic prosperity has been generated for the corporations. It’s only fair that everyone share in those record profits, further added House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.