OPINION: 9-11-25 Organize!

By DARIN GILLEY
Member, UAW Local 2250 

Several weeks ago, I shared an article titled “40-30-18-6 Strike.” The focus was on the facts that led to the UAW (United Auto Workers,) strike against the Big Three automakers. The 40 represented the percentage increase in automaker CEO pay over the last four years. Thirty percent is the increase in vehicle prices since 2019. Inflation has gone up 18 percent in the last 48 months. Last and least is the increase in autoworker wages of six percent.

Just for fun, I turned these numbers into a snap count cadence like NFL quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning. Can you hear it? 40-30-18-6 Strike!

Well, strike the UAW did and they have negotiated wage increases of 25 percent over the next four-and-a-half years. They also established a COLA (Cost-of-Living Allowance), so wage gains are not destroyed by inflation. Add to that the elimination of wage tiers and limiting the time that workers can be “temporary.”

BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS
If you believe these gains contrast with the recent concessionary agreements, you are not alone. This “strike summer” has seen better pay and benefits for pilots, UPS Teamsters, actors and writers, and autoworkers. But not all autoworkers have these gains in legally binding form.

Some automakers like to “copycat” these benefits. They want to give just enough to workers that the labor that builds the products that produce the profits will shut up, keep working, and not join a union.

‘COPYCATS’
You might recognize the names of these “copycats” Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai who all waited until the UAW raises were announced to finally “pony-up” for their workforce.

Like a knock-off video console spelled FONY instead of SONY, copycats are rarely as good as the real deal. Shortly after the UAW deal Toyota announced they will raise wages nine percent; Honda is increasing pay 11 percent and Hyundai will boost their hourly rate 25 percent over the next four years.

While those numbers sound like the UAW agreement the copycats have not publicly agreed to provide cost of living protection, contribute more to employee’s 401(k)s, or provide premium free health insurance. Of course, even if they say it those promises are not legally binding since they are not in a collective bargaining agreement.

IT’S BETTER WITH A UNION
The question is: If Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai workers get raises with the UAW negotiating with other companies, how much more would workers get if the UAW negotiated with their company?

Do not be fooled. Avoid FONY promises and get the real deal. In other words, be the quarterback of your work life. Line up your team and get change started with the cadence 9-11-25 Organize!