The United Auto Workers (UAW) are striking today with a clear message: they want to end a “two-tier wage system” that currently exists in some of the nation’s largest automobile factories. This system pays workers differently depending on the type of job they do, leading to a discrepancy in wage that many workers feel is unfair.
The striking workers are protesting the concept of “two-tier” wages, which sees employees hired after 2015 paid around 30% less than those hired before the cuts. Because of these lower wages, workers hired after 2015 can end up with less pay for the same job or longer shifts than those on an older contract.
The UAW is hoping that this action will persuade companies like Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to end the two-tier wage system and pay workers the same rate no matter when they were hired. They also want the automobile industry as a whole to adopt a policy of fairness in wages.
The UAW is hoping this strike will send a message to the entire industry and the corporations it serves: this system that rewards people differently for the same job is unacceptable and needs to change. While it may take some time for a shift in policy, the striking workers are hopeful that eventually the balance will be restored.
The strike has been widely supported by other labor unions, politicians, and people from around the world who sympathize with the plight of the auto workers. Although the strike may only be a temporary solution, it’s clear that the two-tier wage system needs to end for the sake of fairness and justice for workers.
It’s up to the employers to find a way to make the pay rate equitable for all workers regardless of when they were hired. As the auto industry continues to evolve, the UAW is putting pressure on employers to make sure they’re showing their employees the respect they deserve.
