Auto Workers Union Leads 50,000 General Motors Employees to Strike

By: Politicized News

· Business

The United Automobile Workers fulfilled their promise to strike after negotiations between the union, and General Motors fell apart. The strike took effect on 11:59 pm on Sunday, with over 50,000 GM employees participating. "Today, we stand strong and say with one voice, we are standing up for our members and for the fundamental rights of working-class people in this nation," said union VP Terry Dittes. The union has accused GM of putting profits before employees, and say they are fighting for higher wages, more benefits, a path to permanent employment for part time workers, and the re-opening of idle plants, like those in Michigan and Ohio. Workers have shut down 33 manufacturing plants in nine states across the U.S. as well as 22 parts distribution warehouses.

General Motors, along with other leading automobile manufacturers, have been experiencing a drop in sales as overall demand for vehicles has been declining in the United States and abroad, forcing them to cut back on wages, and close plants across the country.

The last time the UAW voted to strike against GM was in 2007, costing the company over $600 million dollars in two days, with some predicting that the current strike can cost the company over $90 million dollars a day. General Motors has called the movement "disappointing," arguing that they put together a "fair offer" that included "best in class wages" and "nationally leading health care benefits." As of Monday morning negotiations have restarted, but there is no indication as to when a deal will be made.

Many of the workers involved in the strikes come from crucial swing states that President Trump had promised to bring jobs to in 2016, making a prolonged strike a concern for the Trump Campaign. President Trump weighed in on Twitter this morning, saying: "Here we go again with General Motors and the United Auto Workers. Get together and make a deal!"