Workers Strike Back
Hello, and welcome to a special edition of Careers & Leadership. Today, we take a look at the rise of U.S. labor activism through the lens of the United Auto Workers strike.
This is a short version of The Wall Street Journal’s Careers & Leadership newsletter. Sign up here to get the full edition in your inbox every week.
What to Know
The United Auto Workers strike against the three Detroit automakers enters its sixth day today, with work stoppages targeting factories in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri. UAW officials initiated the walkout after failing to clinch new labor deals with General Motors, Ford Motor, and Chrysler-owner Stellantis for about 146,000 U.S. factory workers.?
Weeks of intense talks and combative public volleys boiled down to key issues:
The union threatened Monday to widen strikes against Detroit’s carmakers.
?? How It Looks on the Picket Line (View)
?? UAW Begins Unprecedented Strike at Three Factories (Watch)
The strike comes at a transformational time for the auto industry, as traditional car companies look to make a costly transition to electric vehicles. The strike has political implications and puts President Biden in a difficult position, as his administration tries to balance its support for unions with making the U.S. auto industry more competitive. Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Tesla stand to benefit.
Why It Matters
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The UAW walkout at three factories comes as American workers are striking at a pace not seen in nearly a quarter-century. Last month, large stoppages from strikes resulted in 4.1 million missed days of work, according to the Labor Department. That preliminary estimate was the biggest monthly total since August 2000.
The recent surge has been fueled in part by Hollywood actors who in July joined writers on strike. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Writers Guild of America together total over 170,000 workers. Labor activism has been on the rise in other sectors, too.
What are you watching for as strikes continue? Let us know in the comments below?? or at [email protected].
What’s Next
The strike in Detroit could cost General Motors, Ford and Stellantis billions of dollars. It is also a reminder that these scions of a fast-changing industry aren’t set up for change. High labor costs helped drive much of the sector into bankruptcy during the 2007-2009 financial crisis, and could make it vulnerable again at a time when competition from new, non-unionized players such as Tesla and Rivian is just around the corner.
After three years of surging prices, limited choices and long waits, the new and used markets were starting to stabilize. Now, the UAW strike is poised to worsen the already tight supply of popular models. How a strike affects buyers and owners will largely depend on how long it plays out.
?? What did you think of this special edition? What other topics would be helpful for us to cover in the future? Write to us at [email protected].
This is a condensed version of WSJ’s Careers & Leadership newsletter. Sign up here to get the WSJ’s comprehensive work coverage in your inbox each week.
This newsletter was curated by Gretchen Tarrant, WSJ Producer. Let us know what you think by dropping us a note at [email protected].?
Student at Jashore University of Science and Technology
1 年https://www.fiverr.com/s/yYazmV
Defense Litigation Paralegal
1 年In the end, it equates to increased costs and loss leveraging. Losses will need to be offset so prices will increase to offset the cost of striking and shutdowns. In the end, the consumer pays the price and the workers will suffer when inventory increases as a result of sales decline from higher prices. Foreign cars are built better, last longer and are more reliable. The U.S. auto industry is on its way out and is largely driven by union control.
Take the 20%. The longer you stand out there the more that # comes down and the more time you a lot them to come up with a plan to replace you. You tried this in the early 90’s and Clinton let them send your jobs to Mexico. I hope you don’t believe Biden actually has your back? He’s helping to build the gallows folks.
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1 年The management needs to read my book. Leadership Skills for Successful Managers. https://www.amazon.com/dp/b0c9p9pb18