A potential strike is on the horizon for approximately 7,200 workers at Daimler Truck in three southern US states as labor contract talks draw to a close. The United Auto Workers and Daimler Truck have been engaged in discussions regarding a new contract to replace the expiring one that is set to end at midnight on Friday for employees responsible for constructing long-haul trucks and buses.
The UAW, headed by President Shawn Fain, has made it clear that a strike at Daimler’s industrial sites in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia is imminent if key demands are not met. Fain has criticized Chairman Martin Daum for high executive compensations and prioritizing shareholder payouts over adequately compensating workers. This sentiment was echoed by Fain in a webcast, stating that they do not accept concessions and are prepared to fight for better standards.
Employees, such as forklift driver Jon Greene from Daimler Truck’s Cleveland, North Carolina plant, are focused on achieving a livable wage increase considering inflation, along with ensuring job security and standardizing pay across all six facilities. Greene, who has been with the company for 22 years and is a UAW vice president, expressed willingness to strike if necessary, despite the reluctance to do so.
A Daimler spokeswoman mentioned that the company is currently partaking in negotiations in good faith, with the aim of reaching an agreement that benefits all parties involved and allows Daimler Truck North America to continue delivering products. Following its separation from Mercedes-Benz in December 2021, Daimler Truck has garnered attention due to the potential for an impending strike and the implications it may have on operations.
The UAW’s recent success in unionizing Volkswagen’s Tennessee factory has bolstered its momentum, with hopes of including a Mercedes-Benz car plant in Alabama to its network pending a unionization election next month. This reflects a significant shift in the labor landscape as workers rally for better pay, job security, and overall fairness in the workplace.
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