The Strike Continues Against General Motors

The second day of the United Auto Workers strike against General Motors began with members holding the line as they walked with placards in hand outside the company’s factories and facilities. The strike involves nearly 50,000 workers who are fulltime as well as temporary. Meme Edwards is one of the longtime workers who sees the strike as a necessary step.

“We’re going to stay pumped and optimistic,” said Edwards, who has worked at GM for 23 years. She and other union members have said there was “no way around” the strike.

According to the company, an average hourly worker makes $90,000 a year, not including benefits.

Workers on the picket line say they are willing to make the sacrifice which could become costly for them and the company. Strike pay is 250-dollars per week which is considerably less than a regular salary while some industry experts estimate GM could lose $100-million dollars a day. Edwards shared that she and her husband were able to save and plan for the work stoppage.

“I feel bad for those who weren’t in a position to save and plan, and this is a testament that shows what they really believe,” Edwards added. “This is the right thing, and we believe what we’re fighting for.”

“We have outstanding issues that we still need to resolve,” Terry Dittes, a UAW Vice-President remarked in an interview with CNN. “And, we are committed to do that. We are hopeful that General Motors is also committed to sit down and bridge that gap and address all those issues that are still currently on the bargaining table.”

The union and the automaker have not found common ground on wages, healthcare, and job security for temporary workers.

Edwards stated, “We’re a family. We spend more time with these people…I’ve watched children grow up.  That’s why we’re concerned about the workers and the company. It’s not a win-win…it’s a lose-lose.”

It is the first strike in the auto industry since 2007. Some employees point to their loyalty to GM during its bankruptcy in 2009, and many believe it’s time they were compensated. Executives at GM and other Fortune 500 companies often receive lucrative compensation, but Edwards is clear about the reason for the walkout.

“We’re just trying to take care of our families,” she explained. “We’re not here trying to get rich. We’re here trying to maintain.”