The US Auto Workers Union (UAW) entered a full-scale strike at the US factory of General Motors (GM), owned by American motor giant General Motors (GM) at midnight on the 15th. This is the first major strike at GM in 12 years since 2007 before the Lehman shock. According to the US media, 46,000 hourly workers who belong to UAW entered the strike at GM's 31 plants in nine states. If the strike lasts long, it could be a hit to GM management and the US economy.
GM and three major US automakers and UAW revise their collective agreements every four years. UAW has agreed to extend the collective agreement with Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), but could not agree with GM until the collective agreement expired.
GM labor and management are in conflict over wage levels, medical insurance, and pensions. GM announced that it will cease production at its five North American plants last fall, and there is a gap even when it comes to measures to maintain employment at the target factories. UAW chairman Gary Jones said, “We will stand up for the union and its future.”
GM has proposed to the UAW that it will invest more than $ 7 billion (about 755 billion yen) in factories such as electric vehicles (EV), which will lead to employment of a total of 5,400 people. “I am disappointed that UAW chose the strike,” he said. Although GM has inventory for the time being, if the strike is prolonged, there is a risk that it will affect the parts supply network and sales. (New York = Takashi Jiangsu)
