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Category Archives: labor issues
U.S. Transportation Sector Unemployment Rises
“Unemployment in the transportation sector was higher than the overall unemployment. BLS reports that the U.S. unemployment rate in September 2026 was 4% or 0.7 percentage points below the transportation sector rate Continue reading
November Michigan Ballot Proposals – UAW Con and Pro
“Nothing has shaped the current corrupt state of our government like the rise of corporate money and influence,” said UAW President Shawn Fain on the Union’s endorsement of Proposal 2. “Billionaires and corporations are pouring billions of dollars into our elections in America this year alone. They do it to rig the system in their favor, and working-class families pay the price.” Continue reading
Posted in labor issues, news, opinions
Tagged 2026 Michigan ballot proposals, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, League of Women Voters Michigan, The rise of corporate money and influence corrupting government, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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John Deere UAW Members Refuse Contract Extension Offer
“While John Deere continues to outsource jobs, 1600 workers are still laid off. Our members rejected Deere’s offer to extend their contract because they know their worth and what they deserve,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The company failed to make an offer that addressed the issues weighing on the minds of our members, especially job security. We’ll see Deere at the table in 2027.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, manufacturing
Tagged AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, Automotive news and analysis, John May, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Laura Dickerson, Shawn fain, United Auto Workers at John Deere, X @KenAutoinformed
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GM Starts Stars, Stripes, and Skilled Trades Job Training
“At General Motors, we believe creating clear pathways to good jobs is central to strengthening our communities and the broader economy,” said General Motors Vice President of Infrastructure and Corporate Citizenship David Massaron. “Yet, too many transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses still face uncertain employment prospects. At the same time, our industry faces a critical shortage of skilled trades and manufacturing talent. Stars, Stripes and Skilled Trades, builds on a century of GM’s support for America’s heroes. By connecting this incredible talent with high-demand careers, we are expanding the pipeline that will power the future of American manufacturing.” Continue reading
UAW Clout in Michigan Apparent in Primary Wins
The UAW said today that after months of organizing on shop floors and in communities across Michigan, UAW members helped deliver “a rebuke to billionaire-funded politics on Tuesday, powering victories for working-class champions across the state.” UAW-endorsed Abdul El-Sayed defeated what it “termed an obscene flood of outside spending” to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. His a grassroots campaign was promoted in large part by UAW members. UAW-endorsed Jocelyn Benson won the Democratic nomination for governor, while Donovan McKinney won Michigan’s 13th Congressional District after earning the union’s support. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, economy, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, opinions, people, public health, results, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Donovan McKinney, Jocelyn Benson, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, LaShawn English, Mark DePaoli, Steve Dawes, UAW Michigan CAP Council forums, UAW President Shawn Fain, UAW-endorsed Abdul El-Sayed, X @KenAutoinformed
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CAR on King Trump’s Tariff and Trade Policies
King Trump’s latest tariff tirade against Canada threatens a 50% tariff on Canadian goods. [Currently there is a 25% levy on non-US content on Canadian-assembled passenger vehicles, components not covered under the existing but up for renewal North American free trade pact (USMCA). There are also steel tariffs, which indirectly affect the industry. All of these will soar if Trump follows through with a looming 50% increase on Canadian goods, including autos in August. These issues make the CAR findings expressly relevant in AutoInformed’s view.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, opinions, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Management Briefing Seminars 2026 Center for Automotive Research, North American auto industry competitiveness, supply chains, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
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Autokiniton Workers in Milan, Michigan Vote to Join the UAW
“The main reason I wanted to unionize is our wages,” said Randy Struble, a member of the Workers Volunteer Organizing Committee. “I worked at American Axle in 2006 making $25/hour. I do the same job now at Autokiniton for $23/hour. I have not had a raise since September 2022. When someone quits or gets fired, they don’t replace them. They just put the work on the remaining workers.”
“Autokiniton workers won their union election with 92% of the vote. It is clear from this overwhelming majority that they are ready for change — they are tired of the disrespect from management, low wages, and unpredictable schedules,” said UAW Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli. “They are ready to fight for the fair treatment and fair contract they deserve. I congratulate each and every Autokiniton worker on their victory. Welcome to the UAW.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, auto supply chain worker dissatisfaction, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, Autokiniton, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jaytec, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Mark DePaoli, National Labor Relations Board, Randy Struble, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bridgewater Interiors Workers Ratify New UAW Contract
UAW members who build seats for Ford F-150 pickup trucks and Dodge RAM Trucks have ratified a new contract by ~80%, the UAW said today.
“UAW Local 400 members at Bridgewater Interiors are another example of workers in the IPS sector [Independent Parts Suppliers – AutoCrat.]*who are ready to stand up and win their fair share,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “They don’t treat IPS CEOs like second-class citizens. So why do they treat IPS workers that way? Whether you build axles or seats, the days of allowing IPS workers to be treated like second class citizens is ending.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, opinions, people, shows and events
Tagged Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dodge RAM Trucks, Ford F-150 pickup trucks, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, LaShawn English, Mark Hemphill, uaw, UAW Local 400, UAW President Shawn Fain, United Automobile, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW to “Practice Pickett” Tomorrow at Woodward MPC
More than 800 members of UAW Local 5101, representing workers at Woodward MPC, have voted by 71% to authorize a strike after months of company stall tactics and unfair labor practices during contract negotiations the UAW claims. Woodward workers voted … Continue reading
Posted in labor issues, manufacturing, news, opinions, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, boeing, Chip Blankenship, Jose Tapia, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Shawn fain, UAW Local 5101, unfair labor practices, Woodward MPC, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Expands Factory Use of Humanoid Robots
“Plant Spartanburg is the birthplace of humanoid robotics in BMW Manufacturing’s operational day-to-day activities,” said Ulrich Wieland, Vice President of Production Control and Logistics, BMW Manufacturing. “Having already successfully completed a pilot with Figure 02 in our body shop, we are now looking forward to deploying Figure 03 for a sequencing use case in logistics.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, opinions
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brett Adcock, Figure AI, humanoid robots, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Physical AI, R2-D2, Ulrich Wieland, X @KenAutoinformed
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“Disasters” – UAW on NAFTA, U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreements
“There is no way back to the American Dream without undoing the damage of NAFTA and its successor, the USMCA,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “There is no future for the U.S. working class that doesn’t address the free trade disaster. Progressives and working-class allies need to understand that trade is at the heart of the rise of global authoritarianism, wealth inequality, and the political weakness of the working class.”
“The moral vision of a society where working-class people reclaim their dignity relies on reining in the rising billionaire dictatorship,” Fain said. “NAFTA and similar trade agreements are the social contract as written by multinational corporations. It’s time we rip it up and start over and take back the American Dream.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, opinions, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, china, Democratic President Bill Clinton, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Labor Rights, nafta, North American Free Trade Agreement, Republican George H.W. Bush, Shawn fain, the USMCA, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement renegotiations, World Trade Organization, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Local 2093 Members Ratify New American Axle Contract
“Not only did they take care of the legacy people that were here and made the tough decisions back in 2008 to keep the place open, they took care of the people working there today,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “They also took care of all the future generations that will come to work here in Three Rivers, Michigan, at American Axle.”
Over the ten-day strike, UAW Local 2093 members attracted the interest and support of local community and political allies from across the state, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Senator Sean McCann, Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for Michigan Attorney General Eli Savit, among others. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged Abdul El-Sayed, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, State Senator Sean McCann, UAW Local 2093, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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Seven Unions Want Bans on Defense Contractor Stock Buybacks
Defense Contractors Prioritizing the Warfighter Continue reading →