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Category Archives: labor issues
EV Batteries – GM and Glencore Deal on Cobalt
By the end of 2025, GM plans to have capacity to build 1 million electric vehicles in North America – a doubling from earlier estimates. GM has announced actions to create a new and more secure EV supply chain, including projects targeting key EV materials and components. Cobalt processed from Australia will be used in GM’s Ultium battery cathodes, which will power electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ. Continue reading
NLRB – Ban Mandatory Anti-Union Employee Meetings
The Abruzzo memo says that years ago the Board incorrectly concluded that an employer does not violate the Act by compelling its employees to attend meetings in which it makes speeches urging them to reject union representation. As a result, employers commonly use explicit or implied threats to force employees into meetings about unionization or other statutorily protected activity. Continue reading
Failed Negotiations, Lockout – Rolls-Royce Canada on Strike
“We find it unconscionable that the company in the middle of negotiations opted for a lockout rather than a social dialogue, particularly bearing in mind that the 530 specialized workers at the Côte-de-Liesse factory have been without a collective agreement since March 2020,” said IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie. Continue reading
Ukraine – Dialogue And Diplomacy Are Only Way Forward
“The current tensions primarily affect ordinary people, disrupting their lives on a daily basis and increasing uncertainty for their future. It is also destabilizing the entire region, adding to the economic and social hardship. IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriALL European Trade Union urge the relevant policy makers from Ukraine, the Russian Federation, the USA, the EU and international organizations to redouble their efforts to focus the process towards one of dialogue and political solutions to ensure a stable peaceful outcome for Ukraine, and to guarantee security for Europe and Ukraine’s neighboring countries. Continue reading
Majorities of Americans Say Union Membership Decline is Bad
“In the survey, 58% of U.S. adults say the large reduction over the past several decades in the percentage of workers who are represented by unions has been somewhat or very bad for the country, while 61% say this has been bad for working people,” said Ted Van Green* of Pew Research. Continue reading
Workers Vote For Independent Union at GM Silao in Mexico
In August of 2021, workers rejected the collective agreement signed by the old Miguel Trujillo López union, affiliated to the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), accusing that union of siding with GM and putting the company’s interests before those of its workers. The rejection of the agreement meant holding elections to choose a new union. Continue reading
Census – US Population Growth Slowest Ever
Given our urgent need to be internationally competitive and the staunch Republican opposition to helping poor families and young children in favor of tax cuts for the super wealthy, the news comes at a particularly bad time for the Party of Nope , aka Republicans or the grand old white NOPe. When will they put country over ideological allegiance to what is now the party of insurrection and treason? Continue reading
Volkswagen Spending $20M on 50-State EV Dealer Fitness
Volkswagen also has started an EV Technician Retention Program to support dealers by increasing training, “incentivize their highly skilled technicians, and recruit new talent equipped at addressing the EV shift.” The program enables Volkswagen and participating dealers to financially reward dealership technicians with a retention bonus of $2,000 per year, “empowering them to gain new individual certifications to enhance their skills and build up cexpertise for the ID.4 and all coming electric Volkswagens. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, labor issues, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, Volkswagen ID.4
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GM Plant Workers Face Threats After Voting Out Corrupt Union
On 17 and 18 August, workers at the General Motors (GM) plant in Silao, Mexico, voted against the current collective bargaining agreement, which since 2008 has been controlled by Tereso Medina, general secretary of the Miguel Trujillo López union, affiliated the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM). A total of 6,480 workers cast their ballot. There were 2,623 votes in favor of the agreement, 3,214 against, and 39 spoiled ballots. As a result, the current collective agreement is in the process of being scrapped. Workers will not lose any of their rights, and their benefits and working conditions will remain the same until new representatives are elected. Continue reading
Ford India Stops Manufacturing Vehicles For Sale
India will remain Ford’s second-largest salaried workforce globally. In addition to Ford Business Solutions, Ford India will continue engine manufacturing for export, as well as full customer support operations with service, aftermarket parts and warranty support. Continue reading
Labor Day – Majorities of Americans Say Unions Good
As of July, 55% of U.S. adults say labor unions have a positive effect in the U.S., unchanged from August 2019, the last time the Center asked this question. While the overall figure has remained the same, Democrats have become more likely – and Republicans less likely – to say unions have a positive effect. Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, pew research center, union membership
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GM Workers in Mexico Reject Corrupt Union to Form New One
Workers at General Motors plant in Silao, Mexico, have formed a new union – the national union of automotive workers, SINTTIA. The union seeks to represent GM workers and negotiate a new collective employment agreement. In a crucial vote on … Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, manufacturing, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Generando Movimiento, GM Silao, IndustriALL, Ken Zino
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Porsche Expanding R&D in China
“Having a permanent home for this work in China will bring obvious benefits, particularly when it comes to reflecting and predicting our customer’s needs in China, a nation that has truly welcomed Porsche and has taken our cars to heart to the extent that it’s been our biggest sales market,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche. Continue reading
IndustriALL – Organizing the Growing Battery Supply Chain
With widespread workers rights’ violations and low union participation, IndustriALL, a global union umbrella organization, has been warily looking at the increase in battery demand during the next ten years. No surprise that IndustriALL and affiliates have started developing a strategy for workers along the supply chain. The question is can they make positive changes for the people who often do the work in a world were the non-tax paying rich rig the political, legal and social systems against them? Continue reading

Mitsubishi Starts Office-Free Work-From-Home Policy
This appears to be an automaker first, or at least one from a company of some size. With headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, and corporate operations in California, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Florida and Virginia, MMNA directly and indirectly employs more than 8,000 people across the United States. Continue reading →