Washington, D.C. — Earlier today, news outlets reported that the United Auto Workers (UAW) union reached a tentative deal with General Motors (GM), following tentative deals with Stellantis and Ford. In response, Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:
What a huge day for American workers. Details of the GM deal are still emerging, especially in regard to standards for workers at electric vehicle plants; but if the deal is similar to those with Stellantis and Ford, the UAW workers will have gotten back several of the concessions autoworkers made to save the industry during the Great Recession—notably, boosting salaries, fixing inequities in the tiered wage system, and creating a path to ensure quality jobs in the future.
What is clear is that the UAW has sent a message not just to the auto industry but to big corporations everywhere: Your workers are essential to your profitability. Never underestimate the solidarity or the tenacity of American workers.
For more information or to speak to an expert, contact Julia Cusick at [email protected].