On September 15, the United Auto Workers began a targeted strike against Ford, GM, and Stellantis (the conglomerate that includes Chrysler) in an effort to secure higher wages, a four-day work week, and other protections in the union’s next contract. The strike is a huge development for American workers, but it’s also a big deal for President Joe Biden—these car companies are central to his green-infrastructure agenda. The union wants assurances that the industry’s historic, heavily subsidized transition toward electric vehicles will work for them, too.

Biden, whose National Labor Relations Board has been an ally of labor organizers in fights against companies such as Amazon and Starbucks, has called himself “the most pro-union president in American history.” He has expressed support for the UAW’s cause (workers “deserve their fair share of the benefits they helped create,” he said last week) and has sent aides to Michigan to assist in the negotiations.

  • dannoffs@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 year ago

    It’s wild to me that Biden broke the strike then got them the tiniest fucking concession afterwards and people think that’s an argument that he somehow was on the side of the union the whole time. Getting 4 sick days a year is absolutely nothing compared to the whole list of grievances and it’s embarrassing that people bring this up in response to him breaking the strike.

    • Kraiden@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Huh. It’s really weird to read stuff like this. Just reminds me how lucky I am to not be in the US… with my legally mandated 10 days a year and all…

      • banneryear1868@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        In Canada I currently have 346 hours of fully paid sick time available with 12 hours used. If I take over 5 days in a row I need to provide a doctor’s note. Taking a leave of absence for medical purposes is rarely questioned, same with going on disability. Outside of that I took 10 weeks of fully paid paternity leave, and we have a sabbatical program where you can take a reasonable pay cut for 3 years and take the 4th year off. Also have 4 weeks paid vacation and can take an additional 2 unpaid, with some other funny options available. Dental/medical appointments are a separate fully covered time code.

    • banneryear1868@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      People comment “don’t let good be the enemy of perfect” about this, as if what they got even approaches good. You see how low the bar is at least.

    • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      If he was a Republican he would have them all fired and nationally ban unions. So, there’s that.

        • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          What specifically are you referring to, being non-constitutional action? And, where in the constitution do you feel forbids the action?

          • Hello Hotel@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            I think I was refering to the fact that i thoght you’d be forced to work, (if the soundbyte of what happened is even true) it’s likely biden only banned protesting (witch is the real violation).

            I failed to be reasonable because I didnt read the details of what he actually did on a technical level and posted while i was angry.

            Edit: wow, im not critical enough of my own ideas here, fixed that

            • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
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              1 year ago

              And how did Biden ban protesting? I think maybe you should get your mind off of politics and out of whatever right wing qanon garbage you’re ingesting.

              • Hello Hotel@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                I posted while angry, misread the facts and failed to properly call myself a dumbass for spreading Qanon level comments. I failed to interrogate my own claims to see if they made any sense.

    • protist@mander.xyz
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      1 year ago

      The sick leave is what lead directly to the strike vote, all the union sources from the time are clear on that. What else did you think they were planning to strike over?

      • dannoffs@lemmy.sdf.org
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        1 year ago

        Donating a couple bucks to a strike fund in my honor is better than Reddit gold could ever be

        • bdonvr@thelemmy.club
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          1 year ago

          Link me to one and I’ll throw in a few bucks.

          But anyway I never bought it, I only used the free coins they gave out.

        • Wiz@midwest.social
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          1 year ago

          That’s a great idea. “Lemmy Gold” should be a link to some community support fund for a good cause like this.