Click for more on the CHIPS Act.
President Biden released a statement this morning about the contentious talks between the Big Three and the UAW. “As the auto companies and the United Auto Workers come together – a month before the expiration of their contract – to negotiate a new agreement, I want to be clear about where I stand. I’m asking all sides to work together to forge a fair agreement,” Biden said. The President of course is caught in the middle of the dispute. (AutoInformed: UAW Blasts Biden and Inflation Reduction Act; EV Politics – Biden versus the UAW; New Pattern Bargaining – UAW and Unifor Strike All Makers?)
The Biden Administration – facing more than its fair share of critics, insurrectionists, white supremacists and election deny-ers, among others – has to be wary of an age-old Democratic party tradition as well. When Democrats form a firing squad, they usually stand in a circle. However, the Administration has proven deft at ducking bullets – remember the UPS strike that was going to upend commerce – widely predicted and welcomed by some on the right? It didn’t happen. And Bidenomics has proven so successful that some of the Republicans who voted against it are now taking credit for the jobs and economic activity it is producing in their home states. So much for the red wave, unless it’s waving good bye to civilized discourse and the common good of We The People. (AutoInformed: US Sales Lengthen Bidenomics Growth Streak in July)
“The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class. The need to transition to a clean energy economy should provide a win‑win opportunity for auto companies and unionized workers. It should enable workers to make good wages and benefits to support their families, while leading us into a future where America is leading the way in reducing vehicle emissions and producing autos that will successfully compete domestically and globally. Companies should use this process to make sure they enlist their workers in the next chapter of the industry by offering them good paying jobs and a say in the future of their workplace.
“I support a fair transition to a clean energy future. That means ensuring that Big Three auto jobs are good jobs that can support a family; that auto companies should honor the right to organize; take every possible step to avoid painful plant closings; and ensure that when transitions are needed, the transitions are fair and look to retool, reboot, and rehire in the same factories and communities at comparable wages, while giving existing workers the first shot to fill those jobs. The UAW helped create the American middle class and as we move forward in this transition to new technologies, the UAW deserves a contract that sustains the middle class,” Biden said.
Biden’s endorsement by the UAW is by no means assure. We know all too well that tradeoffs are unappetizing, but not as bad as endorsing Republican candidates, getting them elected and having to eat more of their cruel gruel?
“The last time the federal government gave the Big Three billions of dollars, the companies did the exact same thing: slash wages, cut jobs, and undermine the industry that for generations created the best jobs for working families in this country. Autoworkers and our families took the hit in 2009 in the name of saving the industry. We were never made whole, and it’s an absolute shame to see another Democratic administration doubling down on a taxpayer-funded corporate giveaway,” Fain said previously.
Well, UAW be careful here. Remember that 2009 was a Republican caused recession. AutoInformed is routing for the middle class. And now that the US Women’s team is eliminated, the Matildas… Best to invite Biden to the dance.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
UAW and Big Three Makers – Biden Wants a Fair Deal
Click for more on the CHIPS Act.
President Biden released a statement this morning about the contentious talks between the Big Three and the UAW. “As the auto companies and the United Auto Workers come together – a month before the expiration of their contract – to negotiate a new agreement, I want to be clear about where I stand. I’m asking all sides to work together to forge a fair agreement,” Biden said. The President of course is caught in the middle of the dispute. (AutoInformed: UAW Blasts Biden and Inflation Reduction Act; EV Politics – Biden versus the UAW; New Pattern Bargaining – UAW and Unifor Strike All Makers?)
The Biden Administration – facing more than its fair share of critics, insurrectionists, white supremacists and election deny-ers, among others – has to be wary of an age-old Democratic party tradition as well. When Democrats form a firing squad, they usually stand in a circle. However, the Administration has proven deft at ducking bullets – remember the UPS strike that was going to upend commerce – widely predicted and welcomed by some on the right? It didn’t happen. And Bidenomics has proven so successful that some of the Republicans who voted against it are now taking credit for the jobs and economic activity it is producing in their home states. So much for the red wave, unless it’s waving good bye to civilized discourse and the common good of We The People. (AutoInformed: US Sales Lengthen Bidenomics Growth Streak in July)
“The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class. The need to transition to a clean energy economy should provide a win‑win opportunity for auto companies and unionized workers. It should enable workers to make good wages and benefits to support their families, while leading us into a future where America is leading the way in reducing vehicle emissions and producing autos that will successfully compete domestically and globally. Companies should use this process to make sure they enlist their workers in the next chapter of the industry by offering them good paying jobs and a say in the future of their workplace.
“I support a fair transition to a clean energy future. That means ensuring that Big Three auto jobs are good jobs that can support a family; that auto companies should honor the right to organize; take every possible step to avoid painful plant closings; and ensure that when transitions are needed, the transitions are fair and look to retool, reboot, and rehire in the same factories and communities at comparable wages, while giving existing workers the first shot to fill those jobs. The UAW helped create the American middle class and as we move forward in this transition to new technologies, the UAW deserves a contract that sustains the middle class,” Biden said.
Biden’s endorsement by the UAW is by no means assure. We know all too well that tradeoffs are unappetizing, but not as bad as endorsing Republican candidates, getting them elected and having to eat more of their cruel gruel?
“The last time the federal government gave the Big Three billions of dollars, the companies did the exact same thing: slash wages, cut jobs, and undermine the industry that for generations created the best jobs for working families in this country. Autoworkers and our families took the hit in 2009 in the name of saving the industry. We were never made whole, and it’s an absolute shame to see another Democratic administration doubling down on a taxpayer-funded corporate giveaway,” Fain said previously.
Well, UAW be careful here. Remember that 2009 was a Republican caused recession. AutoInformed is routing for the middle class. And now that the US Women’s team is eliminated, the Matildas… Best to invite Biden to the dance.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.