News & Commentary July 10, 2023 (United Auto Workers begin contract negotiations this week)

[Omaha Steve]

https://onlabor.org/july-10-2023/

By Elyse Weissberger

In today’s News and Commentary, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers reached a tentative deal with Union Pacific railroad, the United Auto Workers begin contract negotiations this week with an eye on federal funding of electric vehicles, and SAG-AFTRA members prepare to strike if they can’t reach a deal with the major studios by Wednesday night.

SMART reached a tentative agreement with Union Pacific railroad over the weekend which would provide up to eight paid sick-leave days to approximately 5,900 employees. In June, Norfolk Southern became the first major North American railroad to reach deals providing sick leave to all of its workers. If this weekend’s agreement is ratified, Union Pacific will become the second railroad in the industry to sign paid sick leave deals with all its union employees. The proposal guarantees union members an additional five paid sick days each year and the ability to convert up to three paid leave days for use as paid sick time.

United Auto Workers (UAW) begins contract negotiations this week with the nation’s big automakers. Union leadership has been particularly focused on the impact of the shift to electric vehicles (EV) on union jobs. Priorities going into these negotiations include supporting union employees’ transition from older factories to new EV jobs, and matching EV pay and benefits to those in the gasoline era. President Biden’s administration has made large investments in programs to lower carbon emissions, including supporting the growth of the EV industry. This push has left many union members anxious about their own job security however. Many of the biggest EV and battery factories are opening in southern states, which are hostile to unionization. UAW is withholding its endorsement for Biden’s reelection campaign until after the negotiations, saying it will stand with whoever stands with its members. Some experts suspect that a UAW strike could begin as early as September, when the current contract expires.

FULL story at link above.