13,ooo workers walked off the job last week after the United Auto Workers (UAW)  failed to strike an agreement with the Big Three auto makers (GM, Ford, Stellantis) on pay, pensions, and other benefits. Strategically, the union targeted three Midwest plants because they assemble some of the automakers’ most popular models and might help leverage a deal. The automakers’ initial counteroffer was rejected, and the automakers have started temporary layoffs of hundreds of employees not participating in the work stoppage. The Biden Administration has sent liaisons to help broker a deal and contain any political fallout.

Why are they called the Big Three?

Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_UAW Latest in the Summer of Strikes

Videos

 

News Articles

Haven’t been paying attention to the UAW strike? What you need to know

CNN

9/17/23

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/14/business/deadline-uaw-strike-negotiations/index.html

 

UAW justifies wage demands by pointing to CEO pay raises. So how high were they?

Associated Press

9/17/23

https://apnews.com/article/uwa-strike-gm-ford-stellantis-pay-dacdfe9ec0736f4fbf3ce7ee38b4bcf4

 

A Summer of Strikes

New York Times

9/15/23

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/03/business/economy/strikes-union-sag-uaw.html

 

UAW rejects Stellantis wage hike offer, continuing strike

The Hill

9/17/23

https://thehill.com/business/4209063-uaw-rejects-stellantis-wage-hike-offer-continuing-strike/

Union says UAW and automakers’ talks are ‘slow’ as Biden aides prepare to visit

NPR

9/17/23

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/16/1199999878/ford-and-gm-announce-hundreds-of-temporary-layoffs-with-no-compensation-due-to-s

 

UAW strike caps off hot labor summer

Washington Post

9/14/23

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/09/14/uaw-strike-labor-movement/

 

White House team to go to Detroit ‘early this week’ to help resolve UAW strike

NBC News

9/17/23

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/uaw-strike-white-house-biden-big-three-automakers-gm-ford-stellantis-rcna105457

 

Labor Strikes Unlikely to Slow as ‘Hot Strike Summer’ Comes to a Close

Investopedia

9/4/23

https://www.investopedia.com/labor-strikes-unlikely-to-slow-after-hot-strike-summer-ends-7964929#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,on%20the%20rise%20since%202009.

Assessment

Writing: Explain why President Biden is in a difficult position amid the UAW strike. How does his self-proclaimed position as the most pro-union president in history complicate his ability to broker a deal?

Debate: Should workers for Tesla and foreign auto manufacturers be allowed to unionize?

Poll: Do you support the UAW’s demands if it means paying more for a vehicle?

Short Answer: How would an extended labor dispute in the auto industry affect other parts of the economy beyond cars?

News Quiz

 

True/False

Striking workers can collect unemployment benefits (T/F)

The United Auto Workers (UAW) are the nation’s largest autoworker’s union. (T/F)

Among other things, the UAW is demanding a 32-hour work week with 40-hours pay. (T/F)

Multiple Choice

Stellantis includes which U.S. automaker?

1. Chrysler
2. Chevrolet
3. Ford
4. Tesla

How many total workers have walked off the job in 2023?

1. 3,500
2. 35,000
3. 353,000
4. 3,500,000

Which public sector group was behind the movement called ‘Red for Ed?’

1. doctors
2. park workers
3. sanitation workers
4. teachers