US auto workers' strike spreads

The UAW (United Auto Workers) strikes in the United States continue into their second week, and have now spread from 3 to 20 states, with 38 parts distribution centres now added to the mix. Despite being highly profitable outlets, most of these 38 centres are small shops, and so their introduction only adds another 5000 workers to the strike; 18,000 total in a union with over 140,000 autoworkers in the three affected companies; Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis (who subsumed Chrysler).

Although the UAW has yet to flex its full might, progress has been made, the most in negotiations with Ford, with additional gains in GM, but less so with Stellantis. Both Ford and GM have reportedly committed to removing some wage tiers, and Ford, to ensuring permanent contracts to all workers beyond 90 days of employment, the right to strike over possible future plant closures, and the reinstatement of annual cost of living increases.

Whilst these are significant wins so far, they still fall well-short of the union's aims, and are unequally spread over the three employers. As the strike momentum builds, so will the confidence of the rank and file. They need empowering to run this dispute, and bring about rapid, lasting contract benefits.

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Trump and Biden clearly see the UAW dispute as central to winning so called rust belt states (that effectively are the key presidential battlegrounds). Trump is holding a rally for auto workers Wednesday, and Biden said he'll "walk the picket" on Tuesday (both in Michigan, where some of the first UAW pickets were held).

It feels very much like public support is well behind the UAW, and so both see this as a key campaign opportunity. The UAW leadership have not (yet) endorsed Biden, but Shawn Fain (UAW president, yes there are too many presidents here) criticised Trump last week, pitting the interests of striking workers against the likes of Trump.

It would be great if some UAW workers get the chance to ask the self proclaimed "most pro union president ever" why he supports workers in this strike, but crushed the railworkers less than a year ago, and how else he's using his inordinate leverage to put pressure on their employers. But expect instead a completely stage managed affair.

Lewis Joyes, MA