UAW goes on strike against GM

On Sunday, September 15, about 50,000 employees from Detroit-based automaker, General Motors, struck under the United Auto Workers union. entering its second week this Monday, strikers have now become eligible for benefits of $250 a week. This strike is possibly the grandest labor action against General Motors in the past ten years. While the tension which exists between GM and UAW has deep roots, recent problems started in 2018, when GM re-allocated 4 locally based plants in America in favor of production in Mexico, to cut costs. Ironically, due to the current strike, General Motors may be losing about $75 million each day.

Concerns from employees include the preservation of health care benefits, as GM spends $1 billion a year on employee health care. A number considered to be unsustainable within the automobile industry. Another pressing issue is GM’s use of temporary workers over hiring full-time workers with higher pay and better benefits.

One female employee, who has worked at GM for three years, expressed chagrin at the fact that despite being employed there for 36 months, she still hasn’t been hired as a permanent worker. Another worker was disgruntled that he only received one unpaid vacation day as a temporary employee over 14 months. These workers do the same as permanent workers but are only allowed a maximum of three unpaid vacation days per year. Three unpaid vacation days, which have to be supervisor approved. GM wants to increase the number of temporary workers on its production lines; the union wants the opposite.

A prime fuel to the list of grievances is that GM has been making impressive profits, and this should improve working conditions and benefits as opposed to making them worse.

The duration of the strike is indefinite. This could mean surmounting losses for the company, and possibly bankruptcy for some of the employees involved in the strike. Hopefully, a compromise can be reached soon.

Darlon Riviere - Staff Writer