Category Archives: labor issues

Stellantis Factory Booster Day Held in Detroit

Posted on 4 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI)* held today the 10th annual edition of its Factory Booster Day at the Conner Center – aka Conner Avenue Assembly – in Detroit. This year’s event saw 80 invited participants showing more than 100 “solutions” aimed at transforming the future of industrial operations.

“Factory Booster Day is not just an event, it’s a reflection of our manufacturing culture and global collaboration,” said Tim Fallon, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Stellantis Production Way. “By empowering our teams and partnering with startups and suppliers, we co-create smart solutions that drive quality, agility and sustainability across Stellantis.

“Together, we are building the future of manufacturing. Through an Open Challenge process, plant leaders invited suppliers and startups to pitch ideas for improving manufacturing processes, making Factory Booster Day a global showcase for practical, forward-thinking solutions delivered through both physical and virtual demonstrations,” said Fallon. Continue reading →

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UAW Endorses Sherrod Brown for US Senate

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The UAW today officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate. Approximately 100,000 active and retired UAW members live and vote in Ohio. The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown and said it will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.

“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.” Continue reading →

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GM Ends Production of BrightDrop EVs in Canada

Posted on 21 October 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today confirmed the end of production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van built at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario. BrightDrop production will not be moved to another site. GM said “The commercial electric delivery van market … Continue reading →

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GM Posts Q3 Net of $1.3 Billion on $48.6B Revenue

Posted on 21 October 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today posted a Q3 2025 net income of $1.3 Billion down $700 million year-over-year on $48.6B in revenue. This included a gross tariff impact of $1.1 billion. GM offset more than 30% of this amount through what it said was go-to-market, footprint, and cost initiatives. It was a strong quarterly performance, but GM still faces major challenges in China, as well as problems dealing with Korea, Mexico and Canada via the upcoming re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with the Trump Administration’s hostile to our northern neighbor. Nonetheless GM stock closed the day at $66.62, up $8.62 for a +14.86% gain.

“Thanks to the collective efforts of our team, and our compelling vehicle portfolio, GM delivered another very good quarter of earnings and free cash flow. In the U.S., we achieved our highest third-quarter market share since 2017 with strong margins, and our restructured China business was profitable once again. Based on our performance, we are raising our full-year guidance, underscoring our confidence in the company’s trajectory,” said Ceo and Chair Mary Barra. Continue reading →

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UAW Endorses Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“Inequality is out of control in our country. Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined. Graham understands this, and at a time when too many politicians take their cues from billionaires and corporate lobbyists, he has chosen to stand with the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain.

“As a U.S. military veteran, oyster farmer, and proud lifelong Mainer, Graham Platner is a true fighter for the working class. His campaign is grounded in rebuilding the American dream for working people who can no longer afford a good life. His service and his background give him the leadership needed to fight for policies that put the needs of workers first and demand bold solutions to our economic and political crises,” the UAW said in a news release. Continue reading →

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Stellantis to Invest $13 Billion in U.S. Plants

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) late yesterday announced plans to invest $13 billion during the next four years to increase its sales in the critical United States market and to expand its domestic manufacturing footprint. Part of this are required updates to aging vehicles to stay competitive and defend market share. Some was previously planned and announced for other vehicles – notably EVs but is now being redirected to internal combustion engine products because of the relaxation of environmental rules and the elimination of  EV buying incentives and CAFE fines or fees on vehicles that inordinately pollute the air causing dire human health problems by the Environmental Pillage Agency, aka EPA, under the Trump – “Global warming is a Chinese hoax” Administration. Continue reading →

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Jaguar Land Rover Cyber-Attack Effects Ongoing

Posted on 30 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Since 1 September 2025, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has experienced a cyber-attack that has shut down production at its three manufacturing sites in the UK. The estimated number of people affected is 120,000, including 50-75,000 supply chain workers, 30-40,000 family members, and 5-8000 agency staff. The UK Government has announced a £1.5 billion loan to support JLR and its supply chain restart operations. The Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund (Ben) is offering support.

“The impact of the cyber-attack has already been deeply felt across the supplier workforce, and the need for support remains urgent. While the Government loan is a positive step towards recovery, we don’t yet know how quickly funds will reach suppliers who were forced to shut down production,” said, Rachel Clift, CEO at Ben. Many people working in the sector have already acutely felt the effects of a month without work or payment. Continue reading →

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UAW Has Tentative Contract at GE Aerospace

Posted on 13 September 2025 by Ken Zino

The UAW said today that after a two-week strike over “unfair labor practices,” UAW Local 647 members at GE Aerospace now have an agreement that addresses  the principal issues. The tentative agreement covers a five-year term. However, all picket lines at both the Erlanger, Kentucky and Evendale, Ohio sites will continue until the UAW Local 647 membership (~600) at GE Aerospace holds a ratification vote on Friday 19 September 2025. The strike was the first UAW strike at GE since 1988. Continue reading →

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Trump Economics – Growth Slowing, Unemployment Rising

Posted on 11 September 2025 by Ken Zino

John C. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer Federal Reserve Bank of New York spoke at the Economic Club of New York on 4 September 2025. The views expressed are his own. However, AutoInformed notes that, regrettably, the data when … Continue reading →

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Ford BlueOval SK Workers Vote to Join UAW

Posted on 28 August 2025 by Ken Zino

“There are 41 challenge ballots still outstanding. We believe they are illegitimate and represent nothing more than an employer tactic to flood the unit and undermine the outcome. We will fight these challenges to defend the democratic choices of these workers, as we always do when corporations try to interfere with workers’ democratic choice. The challenged ballots are not part of the group of workers who built their union from the bottom up. They deserve to have their own union, in an appropriate bargaining unit with a representative of their own choosing,” the UAW said. Continue reading →

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Oppama Plant Closing – Nissan Starts Talking with Stakeholders

Posted on 18 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor Company (7201T and NSANY ADR) said today that it has begun “engagement” with key stakeholders after the July 15 announcement that Nissan will cease vehicle production at the Oppama plant at the end of  the Japanese fiscal year 2027. Nissan plans to transfer vehicle production from the Oppama Plant to Nissan Motor Kyushu. Continue reading →

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Nissan to Close Oppama Plant!

Posted on 15 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor Company (7201T and NSANY ADR) said today that, as part of its global production restructuring under its recovery plan dubbed Re: Nissan, it plans to transfer and integrate vehicle production at the Oppama Plant, located in the Oppama district, to Nissan Motor Kyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. The company will cease vehicle production at the Oppama plant at the end of fiscal year 2027. Following this, both current and future models scheduled for production at Oppama will be manufactured at Nissan Motor Kyushu. Nissan posted a net loss of ¥670.9 billion (~$4.5 billion) during the Japanese Fiscal Year 2024.

Today, Nissan made a tough but necessary decision. It wasn’t easy—for me or for the company—but I believe it’s a vital step toward overcoming our current challenges and building a sustainable future. The Oppama Plant is a proud part of our history, and its legacy will endure. I want to sincerely thank our employees, the local community, and our partners who have supported this plant with dedication and heart. We will continue to operate in the Oppama area with strong support for the local community, as we carry forward the spirit of Oppama plant and work to restore Nissan’s true value,” said Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa. Continue reading →

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UAW Praises NYC Mayoral Runner Zohran Mamdani

Posted on 25 June 2025 by Ken Zino

In December 2024, UAW Region 9A became the first union to endorse Zohran as the Democratic primary candidate for New York City mayor. At the time, the UAW noted that his campaign squarely confronted New York’s cost-of-living crisis. His platform was to build affordable housing, freeze rents, make buses fast and free, and provide universal childcare. This confirmed the UAW’s demands to make life affordable for working-class New Yorkers, most of whom are renters and commuters. On 30 May 2025, UAW Region 9A reaffirmed its support, urging NYC UAW households to rank Mamdani first. It was to AutoInformed’s knowledge, the only major union to do so.* Continue reading →

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UAW Members Ratify Contract at Electric Boat

Posted on 28 May 2025 by Ken Zino

The UAW said this morning that UAW Local 571 members have ratified a new contract with General Dynamics – Electric Boat. Members voted by 85% to ratify the new agreement.

“During the campaign, the local leadership rejected closed-door bargaining, and instead regularly updated their membership on negotiations. Union members built a new network of over 100 strike captains, and signed up 2,200 members, or more than 90% of the bargaining unit, for picket duty – mounting a serious threat of a strike,” the UAW said.

“We did negotiations differently this time,” said Bill Louis, the President of Local 571. “Our members worked hard and got involved in our campaign. After more than a decade of ‘living to fight another day,’ we finally stood up and won the respect that all workers deserve.” Continue reading →

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House Republicans Flunk Math on Energy Incentives

Posted on 23 May 2025 by Ken Zino

On 22 May the U.S. House of Representatives passed its budget reconciliation bill. The bill. among other economic disasters for U.S. inhabitants and businesses includes proposals to alter existing federal energy tax credits – from fast elimination of several credits to new phase-down schedules, and adding new requirements, including provisions related to foreign entities of concern. Are any of our representatives paying attention to Chinese state-owned and directed capitalism? Take a look at the Chinese lead in new energy vehicles, the adoption of solar energy, the making of 21st century industrial goods and above all the funding of a University research in advanced transportation products, manufacturing technologies and medical drugs. AutoInformed notes the Trump’s big, beautiful bill, obsession with job destroying and inflation creating tariffs, among other things adds up to negative numbers for our economy. Republicans flunk math. Continue reading →

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