labor
The UAW’s Big Three strike led to a surge in union organizing at other automakers
The UAW’s successful strike against Detroit’s Big Three automakers has workers at more than a dozen other car companies interested in joining the union. The UAW says thousands of non-union autoworkers at companies including BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo have announced campaigns to organize their workforces. If […]
Tentative deal announced in 11-week strike by Blue Cross Blue Shield workers
A little over a week after ratifying contracts with the Detroit Three automakers, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union announced on Tuesday it had reached a tentative agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and its HMO subsidiary, Blue Care Network. Approximately 1,300 UAW members have been on strike since Sept. 13 — […]
Susan J. Demas: The UAW won the strike, so why doesn’t Donald Trump want to talk about it?
After decades of eroding wages and benefits, UAW workers this month won blockbuster contracts with the Detroit Three that few thought possible. During the “Stand Up Strike” — an homage to the Sit-down Strike against General Motors in Depression Era Flint that spawned the first industry collective bargaining agreement — the union for the first […]
On this day in 1945: UAW goes on strike against General Motors
On Nov. 21, 1945, the United Auto Workers (UAW) launched a worker’s strike against Detroit-based General Motors. The 113-day national work stoppage was not resolved until March 13, 1946. It affected about 320,000 hourly workers in 96 plants, including several in Michigan. During the early days of the work stoppage, Democratic President Harry Truman vowed […]
UAW ratifies contract with automakers, Detroit casino workers approve deals at two locations
As the United Auto Workers (UAW) union votes to ratify contracts with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, the Detroit Casino Council strike will continue at MGM Grand Casino following an announcement on Sunday. The Detroit Casino Council, which is made up of members from UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating […]
UPDATED: Tentative agreement reached in Detroit casinos strike
Updated, 12:28 p.m., 11/17/23 After a month-long strike by unionized workers at MGM Grand Detroit, Motor City Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, the union announced Friday that a tentative agreement has been reached for a new contract. About 3,700 workers at Detroit’s three major casinos were called on to walk off the job on […]
Starbucks workers again use company’s annual ‘Red Cup Day’ to hit the picket line
Red Cup Day is one of the busiest, and most profitable days of the year for Starbucks, and for the second year in a row it has become a prime target for workers seeking a union contract with the coffee store chain. Among those taking part Thursday were workers at several Michigan locations, including at […]
AFL-CIO president to Detroit casinos: ‘Quit gambling with their workers’ livelihoods’
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joined hundreds of Detroit casino workers chanting, “The people united will never be defeated” at Motor City Casino during a Wednesday evening rally as their strike nears the one-month mark. “It’s time for Detroit casinos to quit gambling with their workers’ livelihoods,” Shuler said. “Union casino workers kept this industry alive […]
Oklahoma senator challenges Teamsters president to fight at U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, challenged the head of the Teamsters union to a physical fight at a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday intended to showcase how labor unions are making families’ lives better. The tense confrontation at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing stemmed from acrimonious posts on social […]
Biden tells UAW head Shawn Fain in Illinois: ‘You’ve done one hell of a job, pal’
Donning a red UAW T-shirt given to him by workers, President Joe Biden this week joined union President Shawn Fain in Belvidere, Ill., to celebrate victories in the “Stand Up Strike” against domestic automakers. Biden started his speech with a familiar refrain. “The middle class built America — and unions built the middle class,” the […]
Casino and Blue Cross labor strikes stretch on in Detroit
Detroit casino workers are continuing their strike against three operators, hopeful that they’ll be able to secure a big win like the UAW has in tentative deals with domestic automakers. It’s day 26 for the strike. On Oct. 17, unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown launched a […]
After successful negotiations with the Detroit Three, UAW sets sights on non-union automakers
Fresh off winning tentative new contracts with the Detroit Three automakers, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain said Wednesday that workers’ most powerful weapon was the ability to strike and take on the billionaire class, which he called the “most powerful opponents of economic justice.” Fain, who spoke during an online update live-streamed from […]