"Just a few months ago, you voted 3-1 to join the UAW," the union's president Shawn Fain told the assembled workers, adding, "You had faith, and you moved mountains, you overcame opposition, and you won your union." Fain emphasized the significance of the workers' vote, describing it as a monumental victory for labor rights in the South, highlighting the determination and resilience of the workers in achieving union representation.
At a rally that began at 1:30 pm Eastern Time on Sunday, Fain told gathered workers that they were now ready for the "next step." He urged Volkswagen to engage in earnest negotiations, stating, "We tell Volkswagen, get out your pens, because it's time to put it down in writing." This statement underscores the transition from union formation to actionable negotiations, reflecting the urgency and commitment of the workers.
Heading into negotiations, the UAW is set to make several demands of Volkswagen, among them improved health and safety; competitive wages including cost of living allowances, profit sharing, and no tiers; improved paid-time-off policies; more retirement security; affordable healthcare; and union protections such as due process, union representation, paid time for union work, job training, and fair promotion policies. These demands aim to elevate the overall working conditions for the employees.
Fain warned the workers that the company and corporate media would try to fearmonger about the union's demands. He stated, "They're going to say that our righteous fight for a high quality of life for the working class will wreck the economy or derail the transition to EV." This remark highlights the anticipated pushback from the company regarding the union's aspirations, illustrating the broader narrative of working-class rights.
Collection
[
|
...
]