Video: UAW Fights Back Against Corporate Media | UAW
In Detroit, the UAW shared a fresh video on September 7th to expose how certain media outlets are copying the pro-business dialogue when covering the talks between the union and the major auto manufacturers.
The video shows UAW President Shawn Fain proving wrong a report by NBC Nightly News on September 5, which suggested that car prices would rise if autoworkers went on strike.
Fain points out that in the past four years, the cost of purchasing a brand new car has gone up by 30 percent, whereas the wages of autoworkers have only increased by 6 percent. In the meantime, the Big Three companies have had significant financial gains. In the first half of this year alone, they managed to garner a staggering total of $21 billion in profits.
In the video, Fain points out that the media doesn't seem to be worried about how the Big Three's profits are affecting the price of cars. They also don't seem to be making a big deal about how consumers will be affected by companies spending money on things like executive salaries, stock buybacks, and special dividends. These concerns only seem to get attention when the working class speaks out and asks for a fair share of the value they create.
Over the past four years, the top executives of the Big Three witnessed an average increase of 40 percent in their salaries. Meanwhile, workers who are members of the UAW (United Automobile Workers) are requesting an increment of 40 percent in the coming four years. This appeal for a double-digit raise has surfaced after experiencing years of stagnant remuneration for autoworkers that got eroded by inflation.
A while back, the Big Three were presented with the Members' Demands, which were the core economic requirements of the UAW. But it wasn't until recently that Ford and GM responded with their own proposals. Fain, speaking separately, expressed dissatisfaction with both offers. He deemed Ford's proposal to be an affront to their value and called GM's proposal inadequate for America's autoworkers.
After GM and Stellantis delayed their negotiations, the UAW accused them of bad faith bargaining and filed unfair labor practice charges against them on August 31.
Fain mentioned that the Big Three car manufacturers are requesting the mass media to frighten people with potential consequences if autoworkers choose to stand up for their loved ones and neighborhoods and go on a strike with only a few days left.
The agreements between UAW and the major three automakers will come to an end at exactly 11:59 pm on September 14th.
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