Joining the trend of union strikes in America, just early last week, is the United Automobile Workers union, or the UAW.
The strike began in Michigan, Missouri and Ohio last Thursday against the Big Three automakers Ford, Stellantis and General Motors. Some of the demands from the union include wage increases, retiree medical benefits, more paid time off, and cost of living allowance increases.
In California, this fight has been ongoing for a decade, according to President Jesse Ramirez of UAW’s Local 230 in Ontario.
Jesse Ramirez: We gave up pay in 2008 during the bankruptcy. As regards to pensions we gave up a lot of concessions to make sure our company would thrive. And all we got in return was jobs being outsourced and stagnant pay.
When asked if union workers would be willing to strike in Southern California, Ramirez said they’re itching to picket.
The company is enjoying the fruit of our labor up there. You’re seeing the CEOs making 400 times more than the men the members are. This is just getting outrageous. But our members are ready, ready and willing. And all we’re waiting for is that phone call.
Union member Henry Salazar in Ontario who works for Stellantis wants to be able to enjoy his life and allow younger workers to have a chance to enjoy theirs.
Henry Salazar: I want to live beautifully in California and enjoy my life where I grew up and be able to enjoy the things now that I was able to enjoy in my twenties and my thirties, you know, and those younger workers that are coming up, they need to be able to experience those type of things that I was able to they were able to.
Salazar went on to say that union workers are tired of just working all their lives and deserve time for themselves.
Thomas A. Lenz, Professor at USC Gould School Law said in an email, a strike in California can have an economic impact that is a ripple affect.
Thomas A. Lenz: Strikes affect the livelihoods of those who choose to stop working. To the extent those persons aren’t earning money to spend that means stores, restaurants, and other businesses might not be as busy. If a strike lasts a long time bills might not get paid as easily, if at all.
Negotiations with the Union and the Three Big companies will continue till Friday.
It’s worth noting that the USC Graduate Students Organizing committee, organized with UAW in 2020 and currently in their own negotiations.