Buttigieg Says Both UAW, Big Three Automakers Can Win
[Stay on top of transportation news: .]
The and Detroit鈥檚 Big Three can all notch wins in contract negotiations, with workers securing strong raises and job protections while the carmakers keep thriving, said.
President Joe Biden will travel to Michigan on Sept. 26 to support striking UAW members. Speaking on on Sept. 24, Buttigieg said Biden is 鈥減roud to be the most unapologetically pro-worker, pro-union president we鈥檝e had.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 also the case these auto companies can thrive in a win-win deal that does what the president has called for, which is to say that record profits should lead to record pay and record benefits for the workers who are creating all that value,鈥 he said.
and have logged four years of record profits, and 鈥檚 profits have been strong. The union maintains the companies can afford to meet its demands for raises of as much as 40%, pointing to rising CEO pay packages and multibillion-dollar stock buybacks that reward shareholders.
has said the wage demand would 鈥減ut us out of business.鈥
Buttigieg stopped short of putting the administration鈥檚 weight behind the 40% pay demand.
鈥淭he president and this administration, we are not at the bargaining table,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut we are with workers.鈥
More than a week after the strike began, the two sides remain far apart on key issues such as pay, benefits and terms.
said Sept. 22 the union would expand its labor action against GM and Stellantis, the maker of the Jeep and Chrysler brands, to 38 more facilities. It spared Ford from additional walkouts after union leaders said they clinched more concessions from the company.
The strike poses a political dilemma for Biden, who鈥檚 counting on labor support across crucial Rust Belt swing states to help propel him to re-election. The UAW endorsed Biden in 2020 but hasn鈥檛 committed for 2024.
Union leaders invited Biden last week to join the picket line. He鈥檒l visit a day before former President Donald Trump travels to Detroit to court union members.
鈥淭he American auto sector will benefit in the long run from the deal that moves this country forward,鈥 Buttigieg said on .
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing below听or go here for more info:
