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UAW Calls Out Detroit Three Automakers’ Broken Promises In New Video

The UAW has released a new video accusing the Big Detroit Three automakers of failing to fulfill promises made during the 2008 financial crises, saying that workers were taken advantage of while company CEOs and wealthy investors reaped all the benefits. Clocking in at a little under three-and-a-half minutes, the video includes commentary and narration from UAW President Shawn Fain. The UAW has been on strike since the expiration of the previous labor contract on September 14th, with the labor union targeting facilities belonging to all three of the Big Detroit automakers (GM, Ford, and Stellantis).

A UAW union member holds a UAW flag while picketing.

The video, titled “Broken Promises,” describes how in 2008 the auto industry was on the brink of collapse in the midst of the Great Recession, prompting auto workers to “[sacrifice] almost everything.”

“The deal was UAW members take some short term cuts for the long-term survival of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler,” Fain narrates. “That’s the promise we made, and that’s the promise that was broken.”

The video goes on to include statements by UAW members, stating how workers were affected in terms of wages, pensions, health care, and plant closures. The video also includes a clip of GM CEO Mary Barra being asked on CNN about her recent 34-percent pay increase, as well as a compensation package amounting to nearly $30 million last year.

“In their economy, workers live paycheck to paycheck, while Wall Street gets another stock buyback,” Fain says.

“Car prices are through the roof. CEO salaries are to the moon. Meanwhile, our standard of living has dropped like a rock,” Fain adds.

Check out the full video here:

GM has submitted a sixth proposal to the UAW in ongoing negotiations, and although gaps seemingly remain, some movement has reportedly been made. It’s estimated that 25,300 UAW workers are currently on strike among the 146,000 union members across all three of the Big Detroit makes.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Lock them all out…force the UAW to pay them out of the strike fund until it runs dry. Keep them locked out until the UAW comes to its senses.

    Reply
  2. The UAW coming to its senses ???? You gotta be kidding !!!!’

    Reply
  3. I went on the Ford Factory Tour this summer and watched them build trucks. These people aren’t busting their butts. I saw a lot of them checking out (social media?) their phones and carrying on conversations. Of course, UPS workers aren’t exactly busting it either.

    Reply
    1. How are they even allowed phones on the floor?! Many jobs don’t allow employees to use phones on the job site (like construction workers). And for good reasons!

      Reply
      1. Says the guy who is likely posting comments on this site on the company’s time from his work PC.

        Reply
  4. I disagree. I think the actual buying power of many workers at GM including salaried has dropped considerably over the last 15 years or more.

    I’m retired from there and I don’t see current workers having close to the buying power in the economy that existed previously.

    I believe that all the jobs that have gone to China is another example of short sighted practice.

    Look at anything in a store. Made in China.

    Sorry, not buying it. The greed of Barra and company and others in power like her are exactly what’s wrong with this country. We’ve gone from virtually everything made here in the 50’s to everything made in China now. If you like that, cheap, you have achieved your goal.

    Not me, we are screwed outsourcing everything.

    Reply
  5. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck making $80,000+ per year with all healthcare expenses covered, and living in an affordable area, you need to learn to budget better so you can live within your means. This should be taught in school.

    Reply
  6. There all way over paid, and no reason for car prices to be as high as they are they all should be taking a pay cut and reducing car prices get with reality people

    Reply
    1. Step 1 Mark: Educate yourself to the fact that less than 10% of a vehicles retail price is labor related so if you actually believe the fallacy your preaching will result in lower vehicle prices.

      Step 2: Wake up out of your delusions and realize that if the UAW took a 30% wage CUT, these corporations wouldn’t lower the cost of new vehicle a dime. The UAW only received 6% wage increases in the last 4 years, but new car prices have surged over 30% since 2019.

      Reply
  7. Should be pay for performance. Recalls = pay cut. UAW protects the lowest common denominator. Where’s the incentive to do better in this model, or to stay and share your experience?

    Reply
  8. The UAW will be counting less and less automobile jobs over the next ten years. There may be pay and benefit increases coming but many members will be losing their jobs as non-union foreign manufacturers increase their market shares and EV sales accelerate. Detroit will be the high cost producer.

    Reply

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