Category Archives: labor issues

Ford Invests $1.6 Billion in Mexico. NAFTA Sucking Sound of Lost U.S. Jobs Continues During Fierce Presidential Race

In the midst of a Presidential race where Donald Trump is threatening to put a 37.5% tax on auto imports – specifically singling out Ford Motor, the Dearborn-based automaker announced today that it is investing in a new plant in Mexico’s San Luis Potosi State to produce more small cars. The $1.6 billion investment will create 2,800 additional direct jobs by 2020, according to Ford. Continue reading

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Teamsters Protest United Airlines at PGA Shell Houston Open

Don’t Loot Mechanics’ Healthcare & Profit-Sharing” and “No Contract – No Flights,” during the opening round of the PGA Shell Houston Open. United is the airline sponsor of the PGA tour. Continue reading

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Ford Joins Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition

The electronics industry has had myriad problems with manufacturing conditions, exploitation of workers and suicides in offshore plants. Whether any significant changes occur in worker rights in an industry driven almost entirely by cost cutting remains to be seen. Continue reading

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Nissan – Unfit as Rio Olympic Games Sponsor?

In December 2015, following a six-month investigation, the US National Labor Relations Board filed a formal complaint against Nissan charging the company with breaking the law for threatening to terminate workers for union activities, for threatening workers with plant closure for choosing a union, and for unlawfully imposing a uniform policy after hundreds of Canton workers began wearing pro-union t-shirts. Continue reading

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Union Protests Hyundai Worker Deaths

Trade unionists from Korea were in Geneva, Switzerland to attend the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights this week telling the world about the workers dying in the yards of the planet’s biggest shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries Continue reading

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FCA US Has New Contract with UAW Management.

A week ago, 65% of UAW local members voted against the proposed four-year labor agreement worked out by the International union and FCA because it did not eliminate completely eliminate two-tier wages, did not do enough for retirees, and was vague about what vehicles would go to what plants. Continue reading

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Police Violence at Demonstration at Maruti Suzuki?

The more than 3,000 temporary workers at the Manesar plant had been demanding wages at par with permanent workers, and rallied at the plant gates to show their discontent. Police responded by violently breaking up the demonstrators. Several workers were injured and arrested. Continue reading

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Suicide Vote – UAW Locals Nix FCA Contract

In a move that can only be characterized as slitting their own throats, UAW local members have voted against the proposed four-year labor agreement worked out by the International union and FCA. Continue reading

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FCA US and UAW Reach Tentative Deal

FCA US confirmed this evening that it has reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement with the UAW, covering approximately 40,000 represented members. Continue reading

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FCA UAW Target for Contract Talks

UAW leaders claim they are looking for an agreement, not a costly confrontation. However, there are contentious issues involve creating more jobs and eliminating the two-tier wage structure for UAW workers that see diminished salaries and benefits compared to employees with longer time in service. Continue reading

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Jaguar Land Rover in Talks for Slovak Republic Plant

Union officials in the UK immediately called for a guarantee of jobs with wages that are more than twice the £7 average Slovakia rate. Slovakia has plants from German Volkswagen, South Korean Kia and France’s PSA Peugeot Citroën. Continue reading

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GM to Spend $1.4B on Arlington, Texas Plant Improvements

A day after the opening of talks with the UAW on a new four-year contract, GM announced today that it would spend $1.4 billion on the Arlington Assembly Plant that produces full-size SUVs. Continue reading

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Screw US Workers! Trade Policy Fails Again

Imports of auto parts, engines, vehicles through May 2015 increased to $112,315,000, a dismal job-destroying record. May at $29,462,000 was a record as well. Continue reading

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UAW Denounces US House Passage of Fast Track

No trade agreement adopted under “Fast Track” has ever been defeated. It is the UAW’s contention – supported by much data gathered after the jobs destroying NAFTA, agreement, that the American auto industry, which leads the country in manufactured exports today, will be hurt. Continue reading

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UK Steel Workers to Shut down Tata

First national steel strike in UK for 35 years starts on 22 June as 17,000 Tata Steel workers protest proposed pension cuts from the Indian conglomerate that owns Jaguar Land Rover. Continue reading

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