UAW Strike Against General Motors Has Big Impact on Metro Detroit

WDET’s Pat Batcheller joins Stephen Henderson in the studio for a conversation about the strike and what both sides are hoping to achieve.

Editor’s note: WDET reporters are members of the Professional and Administrative Union, Local 1979, UAW.

UAW workers are hitting the picket lines against General Motors as part of the first strike of its kind in over a decade.

Regional union leaders voted unanimously on Sunday morning to authorize the strike. They cite wages and idled plants among the reasons for the move.

Detroit Today host Stephen Henderson sits down with Pat Batcheller, WDET’s Morning Edition host, to talk about the issues that led to the strike, what the company and the unions are looking for in a deal and the fact that this the first national strike against General Motors in 12 years. Listeners also join in the discussion with their thoughts. 

“General Motors is making a lot of money,” says Batcheller. “It took in $8 billion last year, and workers want a bigger slice of that.”

Click on the player above to listen to the entire conversation. 

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.