Detroit Today: UAW strikes historic deals with Ford, Stellantis and GM
The tentative deals would end the UAW strikes that began in mid-September.
UAW President Shawn Fain walks the picket lines outside the Mopar plant in Center Line, Mich on Sept. 22, 2023.
Ford became the first Detroit automaker to strike a deal with the United Auto Workers last week — a deal that union leadership is describing as historic.
Phoebe Wall Howard, an automotive reporter for the Detroit Free Press, joined Detroit Today host Stephen Henderson to break down the significant details of the agreement. They also discuss the tentative deals the UAW reached with Stellantis and Ford.
Scholar Marick Masters also spoke about the effect this historic deal may have on other labor unions and future worker sentiment.
Guests:
Phoebe Wall Howard is an automotive reporter for the Detroit Free Press. She says Ford’s deal with the UAW is significant and has set a precedent for remaining automakers.
“Ford Motor Company said this is the best contract in 80 years,” says Howard. “Compensating for inflation is huge, getting rid of tiers is huge. You know, the number of holidays and paid time off is so significant.”
Marick Masters is Chair of the Department of Finance at Wayne State University and a professor of management and adjunct professor of political science. He says the UAW has won a significant victory and will encourage other labor unions on strike to be bold in their demands.
“You see a pattern emerging in which workers are getting more. They’re finally trying to get a little bit ahead of the game, so to speak, so that they’re not just catching up with inflation,” says Masters. “They’re raising their standard of living.”
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