Director of United Autoworkers District 2B, David Green, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing strike with Big Three automakers in Detroit. Green discussed the issues facing Locals with a split workforce and what the inclusion of battery plants in the national agreement means for the future of auto workers.
Green is based in Indianapolis but has been on the road covering several striking plants in District 2B, which covers Ohio and Indiana. Currently, he’s with UAW Local 12 in Toledo, Ohio, working with the 12 bargaining units currently on strike. It’s a unique issue because some units are still at work because they’re not employed by the Big Three automakers. Meanwhile, those on strike are receiving strike pay. Ensuring the workers are paid is the top priority for the UAW, whether they’re on strike or not.
Last night’s announcement that the UAW strike would add Ford’s most profitable truck plant in Kentucky was based on Ford making no advancements in the negotiations. After beginning negotiations by providing several concessions to the UAW, Ford is now negotiating on contract issues they don’t want to concede. Green talked about this new negotiation method with all three automakers and how it improved on 2019’s single automaker negotiation method.
Including the battery plants in the national agreement by General Motors is a major win for the UAW. It is building a just transition to the green energy future and ensuring better benefits and wages for these union jobs. It will also help to educate the current workforce and provide them with a path to transition to the battery plants. It ensures that workers are able to ensure a future in the middle class for themselves and their families, Green said.
To hear more from Green, please press play on the episode above.