Organized Labor Flexes, UAW Strikes.
“The United Auto Workers went on strike early Friday at Ford Motor Co.’s Bronco plant in Wayne, Stellantis NV’s Jeep Wrangler plant in Toledo and a General Motor Co. plant in Missouri as a deadline set by the union to reach new contracts expired.
The walkouts involving 12,900 workers mark the first time in the union’s more than 80-year history that it has struck all three Detroit automakers at once.
UAW President Shawn Fain speaks outside Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne early Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, shortly after workers in final assembly and the paint shop there walked out as part of a strike targeting all three Detroit automakers.
Moments after the strike started at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, union President Shawn Fain arrived at the UAW Local 900 hall to much fanfare. Thousands of UAW members and journalists swarmed the union leader, who answered questions before leading the crowd on a short march across Michigan Avenue to stand directly in front of Michigan Assembly Plant.
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The pandemic World has elevated Unions to a status not seen in many many decades with organizing efforts taking place around the nation. The UAW saw that its positions at the bargaining table was suddenly much stronger and the union taking advantage of their new might by wrestling larger gains from the Big 3 than would have otherwise been possible. It remains to be seen if they are pushing their luck or correctly assuming their new strength will provide larger benefits for their rank and file. The new contract could be historically significant in the the history of American organized labor.
