More than 30 U.S. Senators warned 13 non-unionized automakers not to illegally block United Auto Workers’ (UAW) unionization efforts.
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined 28 of their colleagues in a letter to the automakers. Since the ratification of agreements between the UAW and the Big Three automakers in Detroit, non-union autoworkers have begun the work to join the union.
“We are concerned by reporting at numerous automakers that management has acted illegally to block unionization efforts,” the senators wrote in a letter to Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. “…These retaliatory actions are hostile to workers’ rights and must not be repeated if further organizing efforts are made by these companies’ workers. We therefore urge you all to commit to implementation of a neutrality agreement at your manufacturing plants.”
The lawmakers said the UAW agreements would allay the fears of autoworkers at electric vehicles plants. Many workers are concerned the transition to electric vehicles would translate to fewer jobs, plant closures and lower pay, the Senators said, and the UAW’s agreement ensures that workers at electric vehicle battery plants can earn the same wages as other UAW members. Additionally, it furthers the idea that the electric vehicle transition can create good-paying jobs, they said.
Ensuring that workers had the opportunity to organize showed the automakers were concerned about their workers, the Senators wrote.
“Your commitment to neutrality would ensure that management does not pressure workers into voting against unionization or delaying the election process. We believe a neutrality agreement is the bare minimum standard manufacturers should meet in respecting workers’ rights, especially as companies receive and benefit from federal funds related to the electric vehicle transition,” the letter said. “All workers, no matter what states they live in, should have a free and unhindered opportunity to join a union. We strongly urge you to implement a neutrality agreement at all of your plants and commit to negotiating in good faith if your employees do elect to unionize with the UAW.”