In what can be hailed as a stunning turbo-boost for labor rights, Stellantis—parent to Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram—has just dropped the clutch on corporate greed. This past Saturday, the scent of victory for workers wafted through the autumn air as the United Auto Workers (UAW) pulled off what’s being celebrated as “a record contract.”
After putting the pedal to the metal with an expanding strike that has been idling engines since September 15th, UAW members are now steering towards a future with a juicy 25% pay increase on their dashboard. And that’s not all—the proposed deal is geared up to combat the inflation monster with potential cost-of-living accelerations.
UAW President Shawn Fain didn’t mince words, declaring they’ve driven every penny out of Stellantis’ vault, with the metaphorical rubber of their resolve burning on the road to fair pay. The solidarity fueling this movement has shown that when workers unite and rally in the fast lane, they can outpace corporate strong-arming.
This labor triumph also includes an economic nitrous boost for Illinois and Michigan, with Stellantis set to revitalize a truck plant in Belvidere and keep another facility open in Michigan. This echoes the tune-up in worker conditions seen in the recent UAW-Ford agreement, where employees also saw a 25% wage increase and a horsepower hike in starting wages for factory workers.
But this race isn’t over. While Stellantis and Ford’s workers are rolling back to the production lines, the heat’s on General Motors (GM), with UAW redlining the call for expanded strikes. Last week, the strike against Stellantis had workers downing tools and closing the assembly line on the beloved Jeep series. Imagine that—46,000 workers, a solid third of the union’s membership, standing shoulder to shoulder, effectively putting a pit stop to production.
In a plot twist faster than a drag race, UAW called a surprise strike at a GM plant in Tennessee. It’s like a warning light on GM’s dashboard that workers are ready to go the distance for what they deserve. Rumor has it, that terms akin to the Ford and Stellantis deals are already on the table for GM, as reported by the well-informed folks who are tuned in to these high-stakes negotiations.
So, what’s the takeaway for us, the young and the restless, the hopeful millennial souls scrolling through a world that often seems stuck in reverse? It’s this: when workers rally, the wheels of progress spin forward. Today’s labor landscape is shifting gears, and the UAW’s recent wins are a testament to the power of collective bargaining and the enduring spirit of worker solidarity. Keep your eyes on the prize, and let’s drive the message home: in unity there’s strength, and in strength, there’s victory.
