Category Archives: economy

Bill Ford Asks UAW to Choose His View of the Right Path

“We can stop this now and I call on my great UAW colleagues, some of whom I’ve known for decades, many are close personal friends. We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks. I still believe in a bright future, one that we can build together. I still believe the automobile industry is a major force for good in our country and we will continue to be there when America needs us most. Continue reading

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Unifor GM Master Bargaining Agreement Voting Underway

Under the succinct heading of “A Pattern Worth Fighting For,” Unifor has released to its Canadian autoworker members the GM Master Bargaining Agreement, recommending that the membership vote to approve it this weekend. Significantly, General Motors has committed to a moratorium on facility closures over the life of the collective agreement by amending and renewing the existing Letter of Understanding. Continue reading

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UAW Shifts Tactics – No New Strike Actions Today

Shawn Fain in a Facebook Live broadcast this morning once again caught the Detroit Three Automakers napping when he said “We’re entering a new phase of this fight, and it demands a new approach. We’re not announcing expansion of our strike, but we are prepared at any time to call on more locals to stand up and walk out… So tomorrow, I’m calling all of our UAW members and our allies to head to a picket line,” in a show of support for all workers. Continue reading

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Ford Thoughts on the UAW Strike at Kentucky Truck Plant

Ford Motor executives tonight presented their version of the latest developments in the 2023 UAW contract negotiations with a notable and commendable change in tone from the initial Ford response last night. Continue reading

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No Surprise as UAW Strikes at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant

Local 862 members at Kentucky Truck make Ford Super Duty pickups as well as the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator SUVs. President Fain will host a Facebook Live at 10 am on, yes, Friday the 13th of October to provide bargaining updates and take further action if needed. Continue reading

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Oh Canada! – GM Rejects Pattern Agreement – Unifor Strikes

“This strike is about General Motors stubbornly refusing to meet the pattern agreement. The company knows our members will never let GM break our pattern – not today – not ever,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The company continues to fall short on our pension demands, income supports for retired workers, and meaningful steps to transition temporary workers into permanent, full-time jobs.” Continue reading

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UAW Now on Strike at Mack Trucks in Three States

Mack Trucks and the UAW reached a tentative agreement minutes before the initial deadline on 1 October. UAW leadership recommended that members approve the deal. On Sunday 8 October Mack Trucks’ UAW members rejected the contract. UAW leadership then issued a strike notice to the company, citing “many topics [that] remain at issue, including wage increases, cost of living allowances (COLA), job security, wage progression, skilled trades, shift premium, holiday schedules, work schedules, health and safety, seniority, pension, 401(k), healthcare and prescription drug coverage, and overtime.” Continue reading

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Automakers Want US Taxpayer Subsidies for Aluminum

The letter was published on a website and in full page ads in five newspapers: The Albany Times-Union, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Louisville Courier-Journal, the South Carolina Post and Courier, and the Indianapolis Star. Not coincidentally each newspaper is in a market with one of the remaining six primary aluminum smelters. The letter was also accompanied by a digital ad campaign and mobile takeover on Politico. The power of big special interest money is once again in play, and at least this time subject to public scrutiny and challenges by some as socialism or woke-ism for the one-percenters. Continue reading

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GM Posts 21% US Q3 Sales Increase

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today posted strong Q3 sales results in the US with 674,336 vehicles sold and a market share gain of ~1%. There was a 16% retail sales increase year-over-year. The strong results were centered around its thriving truck and SUV lines, which fully participated in the ongoing Biden Administration economic recovery. Continue reading

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UAW Strike Expands as Ford and GM Execs Squawk

“To be clear, negotiations have not broken down. We are still talking with all three companies. I am still very hopeful that we can reach a deal that reflects the incredible sacrifices and contributions our members have made over the last decade. But I also know that what we win at the bargaining table depends on the power we build on the job. It’s time to use that power. That is why I’m calling on an additional 7000 members across Ford and GM to go on strike starting at noon Eastern today,” said Shawn Fain. Continue reading

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Census Bureau Releases Data on US Fleet after 18 Year Gap

The US Census Bureau today released data on the nation’s inventory and use of selected vehicles. The Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) is a collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Energy; and the Census. For automakers it contains a wealth of data about miles driven, fuel economy and actual use patterns, which are key to product development, marketing, corporate forecasting, among other things. Continue reading

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President Biden on UAW Picket Line Backs Wage Bids

The crowd was extremely vocal in its support, even though the UAW estimates that one-third of its members voted for a wealthy east-coast elite candidate who became one-term President Trump after, among other things, he put in place anti-labor policies and destroyed the economy breaking his campaign promises. While the UAW hasn’t endorsed Biden thus far, the 2024 Presidential candidate the union emphatically said it won’t endorse is the 91-count indicted, twice-impeached ex-president. Continue reading

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Brand Loyalty Down Again for New Vehicles

“As vehicle availability increased and more choices hit the market for consumers, loyalty among brands as a whole saw a decline this year,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “Additionally, owners were tied down to their vehicles for longer than normal due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, and as a result were more likely to experience problems with their vehicles.” Continue reading

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Unifor Selects GM as Next Negotiation Target

“We’ve got an incredibly strong pattern agreement at Ford that will serve us well over the coming years. Our job now is to negotiate that pattern in the form of a renewal collective agreement with General Motors and Stellantis,” said Payne. “General Motors will be our next target company. Starting tomorrow Unifor will be at the table with GM.” Continue reading

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EPA Launches More Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

The two new competitions are part of the second round of funding from EPA’s $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, which was created by President Biden’s bi-partisan Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. EPA is announcing the availability of $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Tribes and territories. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Tribe-, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its evaluation of applications, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest amount of GHG emissions reductions. Continue reading

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