Nearly 50,000 members of the United Auto Workers have launched a strike, walking out of over 50 General Motors facilities at 11:59 last night. Workers say GM continues to deny employees’ demands for fair conditions and compensation despite leading the company to record profits following bankruptcy and a federal bailout. This is Ted Krumm, head of the UAW’S bargaining committee.
Ted Krumm: “This strike is about us. It’s about standing up for fair wages, for affordable quality healthcare, for our share of profits and for our job security. We are standing with our brothers and sisters who are temporary employees and in-progression employees, who do the same work we do for less pay. We are united. We are strong. We are ready. We don’t take this lightly.”
Union representatives are scheduled to meet with GM today for further talks.
In more labor news, Chicago teachers appear to be moving closer to a strike — possibly starting next month — as educators and the school district have failed to reach an agreement on issues including pay, staffing and class size.