As the longest auto strike in history continues to drag on, United Auto Workers President Gary Jones issued a stark warning to automakers on Monday: the threat of further work stoppages looms in the future.
Jones noted the many threats facing the UAW, including the financial strain on workers who haven’t been paid since walking out more than a week ago, as well as the fact that the strike is now threatening local economies. Nevertheless, Jones remained adamant that the strike is necessary to ensure workers receive greater job security and better benefits for the future.
“We’ve seen a lot of hardship, but we remain committed to this fight,” Jones said. “It has already reached historic lengths – and now our resolve must be equally impressive.”
Due to the potential for another walk out at any moment, Jones urged automakers to resume negotiations with the union immediately, or face the possibility of an even longer labor strike. Jones also warned that while the union is being reasonable in its demands, the UAW will do whatever it takes to secure better wages and benefits for its members.
“We are prepared to act quickly in the face of any further obstruction from corporate interests,” Jones cautioned.
With the current strike already impacting thousands of workers, Jones understands that the decision to walk out is not one to be taken lightly. However, with the prospect of further disruption to the auto industry on the horizon, it is clear that the long-standing dispute between the UAW and automakers will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.