Auto Workers Issues
As autoworkers mobilize against concession demands
Unifor President Dias attempts to “whipsaw” Canadian auto plants
By Carl Bronski, 8 October 2016
Militant opposition to the miserable GM pattern settlement is growing at Fiat Chrysler and Ford Canada auto plants.
Political lessons from the Canadian auto “bailout”
By Roger Jordan, 7 October 2016
A successful autoworker counter-offensive requires not only a political and organizational break with the pro-company Unifor, but a political struggle against the entire ruling class and their political hirelings.
Ford Australia’s closure demonstrates need for a global auto workers’ strategy
By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 6 October 2016
Ford’s shutdown of its Australian production tomorrow is one of the final nails in the coffin of an entire industry, at the hands of the transnational auto companies.
Opposition grows to GM Canada pattern contract
By Carl Bronski, 5 October 2016
Fearing mass rank-and-file opposition to the rotten “pattern” agreement Unifor reached at GM Canada, the local leadership at Ford’s Oakville assembly plant now claim to oppose it.
“If they bring back the same contract as GM we are going to reject it”
Unifor sets stage for Fiat-Chrysler sellout
By Carl Bronski, 4 October 2016
Unifor’s bargaining team at Fiat-Chrysler in Canada is putting the finishing touches on the “pattern” agreement initially negotiated at GM late last month.
UAW lines up behind Trump’s call for trade war
By Shannon Jones, 4 October 2016
The nationalist ravings of Trump dovetail with the UAW’s corporatist program based on the subordination of the working class to the interests of the American auto companies.
SEP presidential candidate Jerry White visits Windsor
Growing opposition from Canadian autoworkers to Unifor-backed sellout contracts
By a WSWS reporting team, 4 October 2016
FCA Canada workers warmly greeted White and stopped to discuss their contract battle as well as the broader political questions raised by the US elections.
Canadian autoworkers denounce contract sellout
By Carl Bronski, 29 September 2016
Workers at Canadian plants operated by the Detroit Three auto companies spoke to the WSWS Autoworkers Newsletter of their opposition to contract concessions and the pro-company policies of Unifor.
Workers’ strikes spreading throughout South Korea
By Ben McGrath, 29 September 2016
The South Korean working class is fighting against government-led attempts to cut wages in public and private businesses.
Unifor’s big lie exposed
Ontario Liberal government reveals GM investments are not finalized
By Carl Bronski, 27 September 2016
A minister has let slip that Unifor’s much-trumpeted investment “guarantees” at General Motors Canada—“guarantees” it “won” through further concessions—are not a done deal.
Unifor president jeered by hundreds at Oshawa meeting
GM Canada workers narrowly approve sellout deal
By Carl Bronski, 26 September 2016
Having rammed through a concessionary 4-year “pattern agreement” at GM, Unifor will now try to impose it on workers employed at Ford’s and Fiat-Chrysler’s Canadian operations.
GM autoworkers denounce Unifor at ratification meeting
By our reporters, 26 September 2016
Workers at the ratification vote decried the union’s refusal to release the full contract and its collusion with GM management.
“I’d say it’s the worst election ever”
US autoworkers speak out on war, inequality and the 2016 elections
By Eric London and Thomas Gaist, 26 September 2016
In working class cities, suburbs and rural towns across the United States, the hatred for Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump is palpable.
Vote “No” on GM Canada contract
Build rank-and-file committees to resist Unifor sellout!
By Roger Jordan, 24 September 2016
A “No” vote is an important first step in galvanizing the opposition of autoworkers throughout North America to concessions and givebacks enforced by Unifor and the UAW.
Opposition mounts among GM Canada workers
Unifor refuses to release “contract” before Sunday vote
By Carl Bronski, 23 September 2016
Opposition is growing to Unifor’s attempt to ram through a sell-out deal without even providing the supposed “agreement” to General Motors Canada workers.
Unifor touts collaboration with big business Liberals after blocking strike at GM Canada
By Roger Jordan, 23 September 2016
The mutual backslapping between Unifor and the Liberals over the latest sell-out deal must be taken as a warning by workers.
Demand release of full details and two weeks to vote
Contract “framework” at GM Canada continues attack on autoworkers
By Carl Bronski, 21 September 2016
Unifor is trying to rush through a sell-out agreement before GM Canada workers have a chance to study the full details of the still uncompleted deal.
Unifor blocks strike at GM Canada
By Roger Jordan, 20 September 2016
Past promises of “job security,” along with union-backed concessions, have done nothing to stop the destruction of jobs.
Strike deadline looms at GM Canada
By Carl Bronski, 19 September 2016
The aim of the automaker and Unifor is to use the threat of job losses to push through another corporate-friendly agreement to set the pattern at Ford and Fiat-Chrysler.
Auto companies continue assault on jobs, working conditions
One year since 2015 US auto contract battle
By Shannon Jones, 17 September 2016
The warning raised by the SEP and the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter about the rotten nature of the contracts negotiated by the UAW is being borne out.
UAW balks at solidarity action as Canadian auto talks continue
By Carl Bronski, 15 September 2016
In remarks to the press, UAW President Dennis Williams refused to commit to any specific solidarity action in the event of a strike by autoworkers in Canada.
For a counteroffensive against the auto bosses!
A socialist-internationalist strategy for Canadian Detroit Three workers
By Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 15 September 2016
To prevent Unifor from sabotaging their struggle, auto workers must build new organizations of struggle, democratically controlled by the rank-and-file.
Opposition grows to skilled trades reorganization at Fiat Chrysler
By Shannon Jones, 12 September 2016
The changes are correctly seen as a means of eliminating skilled trades jobs, which traditionally require more training and are paid at a higher rate.
Unifor selects General Motors Canada as pattern bargaining target
By Carl Bronski, 8 September 2016
The selection of GM is a signal to the Detroit automakers that Unifor is set to negotiate deals that attack the wages and benefits of autoworkers and bolster corporate profits.
“The union is letting the company do what it wants”
Fiat Chrysler CEO issues threat to Detroit jeep workers
By Shannon Jones, 1 September 2016
In a not so veiled warning, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchione told Jefferson North workers last week that the status of their facility is up in the air.
“It’s our turn to reap some of the rewards of record profits”
Canadian autoworkers overwhelmingly approve strike action
By Carl Bronski, 31 August 2016
Voter turnout at many of the union locals was extremely high, reflecting a determined mood of militancy, but the Unifor union has no intention of waging a serious struggle.
Trudeau given hero’s welcome by Unifor bureaucrats
By Roger Jordan, 27 August 2016
Unifor President Jerry Dias lauded the actions of the pro-austerity, pro-war Trudeau government as “a pinnacle start for working people.”
“There is going to be a civil war in this country”
SEP presidential candidate Jerry White campaigns at Detroit auto factory
By a WSWS reporting team, 26 August 2016
An SEP campaign team encountered widespread hostility to the establishment candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and openness to a socialist alternative.
Signs of slowdown in US auto industry
By Shannon Jones, 13 August 2016
Ford, General Motors and Toyota recorded sales declines in July.
As Canadian auto talks begin, Unifor promotes nationalism and corporatism
By Carl Bronski, 13 August 2016
Leading Unifor officials were effusive in their praise for Detroit Three management, demonstrating again their utter servility to corporate bosses.
Farm equipment giant John Deere lays off 120 workers as sales plummet
By George Gallanis, 1 August 2016
The third round of layoffs in 2016 raises the total number of workers cut by Deere in the US to 2,000 over the last two years.
As profits rise, Chrysler to end US passenger car production
By Shannon Jones, 29 July 2016
The ending of passenger car production puts a continued question mark over the fate of workers at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and Belvidere, Illinois Assembly.
Unifor and Detroit Three use job threats to beat back demands of Canadian autoworkers
By Carl Bronski, 26 July 2016
With labour agreements covering 23,500 Canadian autoworkers expiring on September 19, Unifor and the Big Three are preparing to exchange proposals for a new four-year deal.
US government investigates allegations Fiat-Chrysler falsified sales figures
By Shannon Jones, 23 July 2016
The auto company confirmed that it is under investigation by both the SEC and the FBI for an alleged scheme to pad its monthly sales totals.
Oversaw 1979 Chrysler concessions
Former UAW official Marc Stepp dies
By Shannon Jones, 7 July 2016
The sweeping concessions Stepp and other union officials imposed on Chrysler workers were a milestone in the corporatist degeneration of the UAW and the American labor movement as a whole.
Volkswagen: 700 workers lose their jobs in Germany
By Dietmar Henning, 5 July 2016
The VW board is using the company’s current crisis to make long-planned cuts in its workforce, relying heavily on the IG Metall trade union and its related works councils.
UAW exposes secret 2014 deal with Volkswagen to recognize union
By Shannon Jones, 28 June 2016
Behind the backs of workers who had voted to reject UAW affiliation, the union tops conspired with management to unilaterally impose the UAW on a recalcitrant workforce.
Canadian autoworkers face fight against threatened plant closings
By Carl Bronski, 22 June 2016
As in the US, the Detroit automakers and the Canadian unions are using the threat of plant closings to ram through concessionary contracts.
Canada: Unifor prepares to cede further concessions to Detroit Three automakers
By Carl Bronski, 15 June 2016
Faced with company threats to further slash auto production in Canada, Unifor is signaling its readiness to impose concession-filled contracts to fatten shareholder profits.
Two UAW officials injured in shooting near Ford Chicago Assembly Plant
By Marcus Day, 7 June 2016
Two United Auto Workers officials were shot in a dispute Friday night following the announcement of the union’s local election results.
UAW endorses Clinton, “Wall Street’s presidential darling”
By Jerry White, 27 May 2016
The UAW’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton underscores the immense chasm between the corporatist organization and the workers it claims to represent.
Socialist Equality Party candidates campaign at Fiat Chrysler Warren Truck plant
By WSWS reporting team, 27 May 2016
Many autoworkers expressed anger that the United Auto Workers is endorsing Democrat Hillary Clinton for US president.
Hedge fund buy-in heralds massive assault on Volkswagen workers
By Dietmar Henning, 14 May 2016
The British hedge fund TCI is planning to slash jobs, cut wages and impose speedup.
Volkswagen board pockets €63 million in 2015
By Dietmar Henning, 10 May 2016
Despite the exhaust emissions scandal and record losses, the nine members of the VW Executive Board were paid €10 million more in 2015 than the previous year.
Another expanded recall of airbags prone to deadly explosions
By Shannon Jones, 7 May 2016
The recall will still leave millions of vehicles with a potentially deadly airbag defect on the road.
General Motors posts record first-quarter profits
By Shannon Jones, 22 April 2016
The profit figures underscore the value of the 2015 GM-UAW contract to the giant automaker and its wealthiest investors, including the United Auto Workers bureaucracy.
Ford announces new small-vehicle plant in Mexico
By Marc Wells, 22 April 2016
Ford Motor Co. unveiled its plan to invest $1.6 billion to build a new small-vehicle plant in Mexico which will employ 2,800 workers.
Ex-car czar Steven Rattner touts Obama’s “pro-worker” record
By Shannon Jones, 15 April 2016
Investment banker and New York Times columnist Rattner, former head of Obama’s Auto Task force, cynically portrays Obama as a tireless advocate of the working man.
Anger mounts over hidden contract terms
Ford workers denounce UAW-backed poverty wages at Michigan stamping plant
By Tim Rivers, 14 April 2016
The UAW agreed to a “competitive wage structure” that will reduce wages to as low as $9 an hour at the Woodhaven Hot Metal Forming plant, just south of Detroit.
“I am certain the UAW knew about this. They sell us out all the time.”
Facing layoffs, Detroit area Fiat Chrysler workers denounce UAW
By Shannon Jones, 12 April 2016
A WSWS reporting team spoke to workers Monday at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) where 1,300 workers are set to be laid off July 5.
Nexteer Automotive workers report arbitrary firings, harassment
By Shannon Jones, 11 April 2016
Three months after the United Auto Workers rammed through a sellout deal, workers are being victimized and are discovering contract concessions not previously disclosed by the UAW.
Video: Detroit autoworkers speak on Fiat Chrysler layoffs
By Zac Corrigan and Shannon Jones, 9 April 2016
In this video, autoworkers react to the recent layoff of over 1,400 Fiat Chrysler workers in suburban Detroit.
Fiat Chrysler layoffs hit workers in suburban Detroit
By Jerry White, 8 April 2016
The announcement that Fiat Chrysler is cutting 1,420 jobs at its Sterling Heights assembly plant foreshadows a new wave of downsizing in the auto industry.
“When the UAW folks play golf with the Fiat folks, what do you expect?”
Fiat Chrysler workers react to Sterling Heights Assembly job cuts
By Shannon Jones, 8 April 2016
Workers who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant said the 2015 contract betrayal by the United Auto Workers helped set the stage for the latest layoffs
Fiat Chrysler axing 1,400 jobs at Sterling Heights, Michigan plant
By Shannon Jones, 7 April 2016
The company is permanently eliminating one shift at the passenger car plant in suburban Detroit due to slumping sales.
Mexican Nissan workers in two-day strike
By Shannon Jones, 5 April 2016
The walkout by more than 5,000 workers brought production to a halt at the Nissan plant in the industrial City of the Valley of Cuernavaca.
GM found not liable in bellwether case over ignition defect
By Shannon Jones, 4 April 2016
The case was chosen by GM because evidence of corporate malfeasance appeared weakest.
“They got away with murder for profit”
Michigan will not sanction GM attorneys involved in cover-up of ignition defect
By Shannon Jones, 29 March 2016
To date, no top GM official has been held to account for the decade-long cover-up of an ignition defect responsible for at least 124 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Indian auto workers fight to defend wages and conditions
By Arun Kumar, 26 March 2016
Workers at major car makers including Maruti Suzuki, Honda Motors and Tata, as well as auto-related companies, have been involved in plant occupations, strikes, rallies and marches.
St. Louis autoworkers bar UAW vice president from their Facebook page
By Jerry White, 23 March 2016
GM workers in Wentzville, Missouri blocked Cindy Estrada from their page in order to prevent her from spying for the UAW International and the company.
India: Tata workers end strike after being isolated by the unions
By Arun Kumar, 23 March 2016
The trade unions, mainly those led by Stalinists, played a key role in pushing Tata auto workers to end the strike.
UAW seeks to ram through contract at Volvo
By Shelly Connor, 21 March 2016
The UAW reportedly reached a last-minute agreement with Volvo, but refused to provide workers with the full contract, following a pattern it has employed many times before.
UAW discussing lower pay rate at Lear in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 19 March 2016
The UAW is seeking a deal that will expand its dues income by creating a lower-paid tier of workers at the US-based automobile seat maker.
UAW pushes local deals past opposition at GM Lordstown plant
By Jerry White, 18 March 2016
Union officials made it clear that they would force workers to vote again and again until they approved a local contract.
Slumping car sales lead to extended layoff of Fiat Chrysler Sterling Heights workers
By Shannon Jones, 15 March 2016
Last week Fiat Chrysler announced that what had originally been scheduled as a six-week layoff would be extended for another three weeks.
Detroit autoworkers discuss Trump, US election campaign
By our reporters, 4 March 2016
One day before Trump’s rally in Warren, Michigan, Fiat Chrysler workers at the truck assembly plant in the suburban Detroit city spoke about the rise of the extreme right candidate.
Autoworkers support challenge to UAW-Ford 2015 contract vote
By Shannon Jones, 1 March 2016
An internal UAW Local 600 hearing on the challenge to the ratification vote by a Ford skilled trade worker is set for Thursday.
Michigan autoworker files challenge to UAW-Ford 2015 contract vote
By Eric London, 26 February 2016
A worker at Ford’s Dearborn Truck plant is continuing to pursue his allegations of fraud during the 2015 contract ratification vote in the face of stonewalling by the United Auto Workers.
India: Tata Nano auto workers strike over suspensions
By Arun Kumar and Deepal Jayasekera, 25 February 2016
The Nano workers’ strike is a sign of the growing social unrest created by the deteriorating living and working conditions of workers throughout India.
Downsizing begins as Fiat Chrysler seeks merger partner
By Shannon Jones, 25 February 2016
The plans by CEO Sergio Marchionne to eliminate small car production as part of a potential merger call into question the future of thousands of jobs at the company’s US operations.
In Detroit visit, Sanders promotes the UAW and economic nationalism
By Jerry White, 17 February 2016
Just months after the UAW rammed pro-company deals past the opposition of rank-and-file autoworkers, the self-described “democratic socialist” praised the discredited organization.
In wake of VW scandal European Parliament relaxes emissions regulations
By Jan Peters and Dietmar Henning, 16 February 2016
Last autumn, it was revealed that Volkswagen manipulated the emissions readings in 11 million diesel vehicles and hundreds of thousands of petrol models.
UAW President Dennis Williams denounces role of “outside groups” in 2015 auto contract negotiations
By Shannon Jones, 13 February 2016
The remarks expressed the concern of the UAW leadership over growing signs of militancy and social anger in the working class in Michigan and throughout the country.
More recalls of Takata exploding airbags
By Shannon Jones, 6 February 2016
Recalls have proceeded in a piecemeal fashion since 2008, when Honda first publicly reported the deadly defect.
“GM will do anything for profits and stockholders”
US autoworkers speak on record profits
By our reporter, 4 February 2016
Workers said the record profits being recorded by the Detroit automakers were paid for by the blood and sweat of workers.
GM skilled trades worker killed at Defiance, Ohio factory
By Shannon Jones, 4 February 2016
50-year-old Terry Bodenbender, father of two, was working on an overhead crane when he plunged to his death Tuesday afternoon.
Autoworkers speak on Flint water crisis
By Shannon Jones, 22 January 2016
Workers expressed their solidarity with the people of Flint who are suffering from lead poisoning due to the criminal actions of state, local and federal authorities.
US auto companies announce big payout to stockholders
By Shannon Jones, 15 January 2016
The huge sums now being handed out to investors expose the lies by the UAW that there was no more money on the table in the 2015 auto contract negotiations.
Autoworkers support Detroit teachers’ fight
By our reporters, 14 January 2016
Autoworkers have spoken out in defense of Detroit teachers who have launched a series of sickouts in defense of public education.
Worker killed in Ohio Honda plant
By David Brown, 8 January 2016
The contract worker died as Honda draws large profits and continues to recall defective airbags responsible for nine deaths.
Freightliner announces nearly 1,000 layoffs at North Carolina plant
By Jerry White, 6 January 2016
The layoff announcement follows similar job cuts and UAW-sanctioned attacks on workers at Volvo, Navistar and other truck manufacturers in the US.
UAW local publishes blacklist of workers who opt out of dues payment
By Eric London, 5 January 2016
The anti-democratic move by Local 412 in suburban Detroit is aimed at victimizing workers who criticize the UAW’s collusion with corporate management.
2016 will be a year of escalating class struggle
By Jerry White, 4 January 2016
Class conflict will become an ever-more dominant feature of life in 2016 as the ruling classes in the US and around the world demand that workers pay for the global economic crisis.
Worker crushed to death after wall collapses at Chicago Ford plant
By Marcus Day, 4 January 2016
One worker was killed and another critically injured Saturday after a concrete wall collapsed at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, the company’s oldest continually operating factory.
Analyst says US auto contracts will not increase labor costs
By Shannon Jones, 31 December 2015
Despite claims by the UAW that the agreements were among the richest in history, the overall labor costs at the Detroit automakers will remain essentially unchanged.
Dictatorship conditions at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant: Part Two
With UAW complicity, Ford fires workers for voicing opposition
By Eric London, 30 December 2015
A local UAW official confirmed that at least a dozen workers have been fired from the Kansas City plant for comments posted on Facebook, and the union has done nothing.
Dictatorship conditions at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant: Part One
Autoworker crushed to death in conveyer belt catastrophe
By Eric London, 29 December 2015
The deceased worker leaves behind a wife and small children. Meanwhile, Ford keeps hush, the UAW blames workers and the government said it will not investigate the workplace tragedy.
Walter Reuther and the rise and fall of the UAW
By Tom Mackaman, 23 December 2015
Walter Reuther’s biography has much to teach workers about the transformation of the trade unions into reactionary adjuncts of the corporations and the government.
Nexteer workers denounce UAW after ratification of sellout deal
By our reporters, 22 December 2015
Just days after the UAW pushed through a new five-year agreement, workers at the former GM steering complex spoke out against the union-management conspiracy to push through the deal.
After the Big Three contracts
Auto companies cheat retirees while posting record sales
By Eric London, 21 December 2015
As auto sales hit new records, an autoworker at GM’s Fort Wayne Assembly Plant in Indiana explained how workers are being cheated of their signing bonuses.
“They want this contract shoved down our throats”
UAW claims ratification of Nexteer sellout as lies exposed
By Shannon Jones, 19 December 2015
Broad sections of Nexteer workers remain opposed to the latest sellout in the face of UAW-company threats, lies and intimidation.
Widespread opposition as voting begins on second UAW-Nexteer deal
By Jerry White, 18 December 2015
Auto parts workers at the former GM complex in Saginaw, Michigan expressed their opposition to the UAW-backed sellout when they came to vote on Thursday.
Low-wage America
Detroit auto parts worker endures homelessness, surrenders custody of children
By our reporter, 17 December 2015
Dwayne Cole and Siretha Lattimore made the wrenching decision to hand their children over to state custody after being homeless for a year, despite Dwayne’s full-time job at an auto parts factory.
Vote “No” on UAW-Nexteer sellout deal!
Build factory committees to mobilize all autoworkers in a common struggle
By Jerry White, 17 December 2015
The new deal is not a “contract” in any real sense but a slave’s charter, with the UAW imposing management’s demands for poverty wages and a dictatorship on the shop floor.
Nexteer workers challenge UAW officials at contract information meetings
By Jerry White, 16 December 2015
Workers grilled UAW officials with angry questions Tuesday, amidst widespread opposition to a second sellout deal at the former GM steering complex in Saginaw, Michigan.
Volvo truck plant lays off 734 workers ahead of contract deadline
By Ed Hightower, 16 December 2015
The layoffs are a familiar tactic designed to wear down workers so they will accept a sellout contract.
After the contract at Fiat Chrysler: UAW and company cheat workers of pay
By Eric London, 16 December 2015
The World Socialist Web Site recently spoke with workers at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in Ohio who said anger is widespread over the impact of the new contract.
“Everyone’s eyes are opening up now that they are reading the contract”
Nexteer workers express anger and opposition to new contract deal
By Shannon Jones, 15 December 2015
The United Auto Workers is holding so-called information meetings, starting today, with Saginaw, Michigan workers voting on the second deal Thursday and Friday.
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