Workers are on strike at all 3 Detroit auto makers for the first time in their union's history
Workers are on strike at all 3 Detroit auto makers for the first time in their union's history
About 13,000 U.S. auto workers have stopped making vehicles and headed for the picket lines. Their leaders have been unable to bridge a giant gap between union demands in contract talks and what Detroit’s three automakers are willing to pay.
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The limited strikes will help to preserve the union’s $825 million strike fund, which would run dry in about 11 weeks if all workers walked out. But Fain said more plants could be added if the companies don’t make better offers.
Even Fain has called the union’s demands audacious, but he maintains the automakers are raking in billions and can afford them. He scoffed at company statements that costly settlements would force them to raise vehicle prices, saying labor accounts for only 4% to 5% of vehicle costs.
Smart idea: ask for a lot and strike immediately. Don't wait and strike all at once. Pull more workers off the job if they refuse to negotiate, but start out slow.
That allows time for the board to ask management wtf is going on, because they are slowly losing money.
It also a great move for getting support from the general population. It makes it hard to villanize the Union when they are being reasonable.