In 2009, the Big 3 — Ford, GM and Chrysler — were on the ropes, and while Ford did not require a government bailout, GM and Chrysler each took a bailout from the federal government. But for each company to survive long-term, UAW members made steep concessions in pay, gave up cost of living inflation pay, loss of benefits, loss of pensions for anyone hired after 2009 and other quality of life issues such as scheduled shift hours, overtime requirements and the ability for each company to place a two-tier wage structure which required any new employees to start at roughly half the wages of the legacy employee with a longer term to make top-out pay.
Since then, Ford, GM and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) have made $164 billion in combined profits, $24 billion in the first six months of 2023 alone. The three CEO’s of each company have also enjoyed a 40-70% wage increase, hefty stock options and the ability to have flex hours and the option to work from home. While the CEO’s quality of life has improved, UAW members in parts, production, powertrain and assembly plants have poured time and sweat into making the companies profitable with limited profit sharing and modest improvements in some workplaces. Unfortunately, UAW members have never fully recovered the concessions made since the 2009 contracts.
In a March 24, 2014 interview on CNBC “Squak Box”, Bill Ford stated that the UAW (2009 concessions) saved Ford Motor Company. Because GM and Stellantis both were bailed out by the federal government through their bankruptcies, neither GM or Stellantis have ever recognized that the concessions also saved them as well. On Aug. 31, 2023, the UAW filed a lawsuit against GM and Stellantis for failure to negotiate in good faith on the 2023 contract.
What are the UAW members’ demands for the 2023? To receive back many of the concessions that have made the company’s billions. Those demands include a double-digit pay raise, return of pensions and retiree healthcare for new hires, increases in vacation time and restorations of quality of life issues that have created hardships for families and communities across the nation, including the shuttering of plants in Lordstown, Ohio Belvidere, IL and the closing of the Ford Batavia Transmission Plant in June of 2008 which impacted 800 jobs and left Clermont County looking for ways to make up the lost revenue for small businesses and the county budget.
The communities where UAW members work and live, enjoy the security autoworkers jobs provide. Most of these auto plants are in rural communities where small businesses rely on the workers spending their money in the grocery, auto parts, car washes, hardware and medical care facilities. The quality of life issues UAW members win in contract negotiations also filter into the overall national workforce including the forty hour work week, weekends off, company provided health insurance, overtime pay and retirement plans. Autoworkers also are often some of the most generous in our communities through donations to sports teams, school functions and holiday drives.
UAW members have a long history of being the workforce that keeps America moving. Today, we are just asking for the companies to recognize our work in building quality vehicles our country depends on. We ask them for a true fair days pay for the fair days work we have always given. Most importantly, we ask for your community support as we continue to negotiate for a fair contract for all workers.
Ben Brady is Chairman of the Greater Cincinnati UAW CAP Council.
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