As President Joe Biden continues to push “green energy,” his agenda is affecting the wages of American auto workers at Ford, GM, and Stellantis.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) is challenging the so-called “green energy” agenda that could lead to wage-cutting outcomes for auto workers while also receiving billions in taxpayer money that is meant to incentivize the switch to electric vehicles (EVs).
“There have been clear winners and losers and the same people who’ve always won, the corporate elite and the billionaire class, seem to think they can keep calling the shots,” said UAW President Shawn Fain in a video produced by his union.
At the top of that list are the three largest automakers in the United States. GM, Ford, and Stellantis all stand to benefit from the Biden administration’s Inflation Restriction Act. EV manufacturers will receive a massive windfall in the form of tax credits meant to offset the costs of production.
This move has been a hard hit for union workers in Lordstown, Ohio, whose plant was closed down by GM only a few years ago. Employees were laid off and the union is worried that things may not get much better.
GM has since partnered with LG to build the Ultium Cells EV battery plant, promising high-paying green energy jobs. However, many UAW members feel cheated by the job offer.
“What [Lordstown] found was a far cry from what was promised,” Fain said. “[GM] cut auto wages in half.”
UAW workers at Ultium Cells are earning a maximum of $20 an hour, which workers say is not enough to cover their cost of living. Meanwhile, auto workers at the former Lordstown plant were making upwards of $30.
And GM, along with Ford and Stellantis, are doing even better. Between the three of them, they have raked in billions of taxpayer money in the form of EV tax credits.
This has not gone unnoticed by union members, who point out that none of the benefits seem to be trickling down to them.
“It’s our money going into these companies’ big, billion-dollar companies’ pockets,” said Dave Dellick of UAW Local 1112. “You should be able to pay me a livable wage. I shouldn’t be working two jobs.”
The UAW has yet to offer its endorsement to President Joe Biden’s administration, citing its lack of commitment to keeping auto worker wages from being diminished. It’s a sentiment that many union members share.
“We’re putting up a fight,” said Dominic Giovannone of UAW 4121. “We’re not going to stand for these corporations taking advantage of us.”
OUR DEFINING MOMENT.
A new industry is being born. New standards are being set.
It’s not just about Lordstown.
Everywhere, our message is the same: Our country deserves good, safe, living-wage union jobs.
It’s time to build an EV industry that puts workers first.#UAW pic.twitter.com/cNB6ujxR99
— UAW (@UAW) July 5, 2023
