Contract negotiations with the Detroit Three may be looming on the horizon, but UAW president Bob Kings says the union remains focused on organizing at least one transplant factory this year.
UAW members are currently gathered in Detroit for the union’s bargaining convention – essentially a meeting to formulate a game plan before negotiations with the Big Three begin this summer – but the UAW hasn’t lost its focus on its goal of organizing at least one transplant automaker this year.
The UAW sent letters to all transplant automakers earlier this year requesting time to speak with plant workers, but the union has yet to comment if it has received any responses. It remains to be seen if the topic will be discussed with UAW members this week.
However, the UAW has an uphill battle on its hands as most foreign auto plants are located in Southern right-to-work states. Automakers like Toyota and Honda also resisted the need to cut workers during the market downturn of 2008 and 2009 – unlike the Big Three – which seems to have earned the long-term support of plant employees.
It’s quest to convert at least one foreign factory could be put on temporary hold, though, as official talks with the Detroit automaker are scheduled to commence in early July.
References
1.’King: UAW moving…’ view
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