The United Auto Workers (UAW) bureaucracy has announced it will not strike or hold further strike votes at Stellantis over grievances related to job cuts until months into 2025, if ever. This decision comes as the union withdraws all local grievances related to its “Keep the Promise” campaign, which aimed to force Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares out due to alleged mismanagement.
UAW President Shawn Fain has indicated his willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration on trade war measures, citing issues like bad trade deals and the right to form a union. However, critics argue that this move is a tacit endorsement of Trump’s anti-labor policies and the PRO Act, which protects the financial interests of the union apparatus.
Fain claimed the “Keep the Promise” campaign was instrumental in Tavares’ resignation, but experts say the issue at hand is not to oppose class exploitation but to make it more effective and efficient. The real concern is that Stellantis’ assault on workers will continue under new leadership.
Meanwhile, the UAW has secured a deal with Stellantis to allow its members to unionize workers at the Kokomo battery plant joint venture with Samsung. However, this agreement includes a pledge by the UAW to maintain substandard wages at the plant.
Workers are growing increasingly frustrated with the UAW’s handling of job cuts and layoffs. A veteran worker stated that most people are not sorry to see Tavares go, but they do hope for better management. The real problem, however, is capitalism, which perpetuates exploitation and inequality.
As Stellantis continues to cut jobs globally, workers must adopt an international strategy to fight back against transnational automakers. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committee is calling for a global campaign to defend the right to a good-paying and secure job for all workers.
Source: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/12/06/bavq-d06.html