The strike has up to now focused Common Motors’ Wentzville Meeting plant in Missouri, the Stellantis Toledo Meeting plant in Ohio, and the Ford Michigan Meeting complicated in Wayne, Michigan, although extra websites could possibly be added, Superb mentioned Sunday.
The work stoppage at three websites is only a small fraction of the dimensions of a probably widespread strike — which might embody almost 150,000 union members in a number of different states.
Together with requires a 40% pay rise and a four-day work week, auto employees have expressed concern a few future wherein extra autos are constructed with electrical batteries quite than inside combustion engines.
“That is the place the rubber begins, we now have to determine how we’ll make that transition, how we’ll go from switching to the interior combustion engine, and pay the individuals who make that battery,” mentioned Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), who represents a district close to Detroit. “Respectable wages, just like what they get for inside combustion engines,” he mentioned on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.
“There might be new jobs, completely different jobs that can come from this transition. Nevertheless it’s not a second to speak about. It is a powerful, intentional and actual second,” Dingell mentioned.
The strike places President Joe Biden, who describes himself as “essentially the most pro-union president in American historical past,” in a precarious place because the 2024 presidential election approaches.
On Friday, Biden mentioned he understood employees’ “frustration” and introduced he was sending performing Labor Secretary Julie Su and chief financial adviser Gene Sperling to Detroit to “supply their full help” in contract negotiations.
