Massive Auto Workers' Strike in America: Demands, Impact, and Global Support

2023-10-04 19:58:00

America is the largest economic and military power in the world. It is the fourth largest country and one of the most economically advanced countries in the world. No other country can compete with the United States in terms of manufacturing and services. The United States has one of the highest standards of living among nations.
75% of America’s population is white. Blacks make up less than 13 percent. The aboriginal Red Indians make up only one percent. Other population groups are 8 percent. About 12 percent are immigrants from South America. About 3.5 percent are of Asian descent. 51 percent of the population are women.
Poverty is a challenge that America faces even though it is known as the world’s superpower. The gap between the rich and the poor is huge there. Most of the poor are black and Hispanic. Inflation, unemployment, and disenfranchisement of workers are universal in America today, as in other capitalist countries. As a part of that, various sections of the people are coming to protest there to achieve their demands. Workers are on strong strike in America, Europe and other western countries. Labor unions had already come to the field of struggle in the United States. The legendary strike by the railway workers there attracted world attention. Thousands of artists, employees and workers were on strike for a long time in Hollywood, the world’s film production center.
America has the world’s largest automobile manufacturing industry today. Tens of thousands of workers in this sector have now embarked on a massive agitation. The auto manufacturing workers’ strike, which has played a large role in the recent history of the United States, is gaining strength at every level. 13,000 workers in three companies have taken to the streets in the city of Detroit, which is the center of automobile companies. Their strike is in the name of low wages and contract cancellation. General Motors of Missouri, Ford of Michigan and Stellants Jeep of Ohio are on strike. Rejection of the wages demanded by the labor union and unilateral cancellation of the employment contract led them to strike. The strike is also said to have been caused by manufacturers focusing on electric vehicles instead of combustion vehicles. The companies rejected the demands of the workers to revise the wages that have been going on for years in the face of the increased cost of living. At the same time, the workers allege that the companies are making exorbitant profits and the capitalists are acquiring crores of rupees through irregularities. The leaders also say that the strike will be spread to other plants if the demand is not accepted. The workers went on strike the day after the contract with the companies ended. This strike, which is taking place during the administration of Joe Biden, who came to power with a pro-worker stance, may have a detrimental effect on the American auto market. Joe Biden describes himself as the president who takes the most favorable attitude towards trade unions. The government is worried that if the strike goes on, the issue will be discussed in the upcoming presidential election.
The US auto industry has 1.25 crore members in 60 labor unions. The federation of unions, AFLCIO, is also in favor of the strike. The labor unions have made it clear that the auto manufacturing sector will continue the agitation and at the same time they are ready for discussion. President Joe Biden has tasked two members of his team with resolving the labor dispute between workers and automakers. However, the unions have warned that the 1.46 lakh workers in the three factories will go on strike if the fundamental demands of the motor workers are not accepted. The United Motor Workers union said it was optimistic about the talks with Ford Motors. The union is still trying to reach an agreement with General Motors and Stellanties.
Public support for the motor vehicle manufacturing strike in the United States is also increasing. They reached the protest centers in various places and offered greetings including the American MPs. Along with the labor movement in the United States of America, the workers in the UK, Austria, France and other countries are holding a strike to uphold their demands. The nationwide strike in the UK by all classes of workers was legendary. It seems unlikely that the big monopolies in the motor industry will be able to continue their negative approach to the vital demands of America’s workers. The strike has received strong support from workers and unions around the world. Therefore, there is no doubt that President Joe Biden and his allies will have to step in to settle the strike amicably.