President Joe Biden praised the United Auto Workers and Daimler Truck for reaching a tentative agreement in the eleventh hour on Friday night, preventing a potential strike that could have affected 7,300 workers. Biden commended the power of collective bargaining in building a clean energy economy with strong, middle-class union jobs. The agreement, described as a “record contract,” includes raises of more than 25% over the next four years, inflation protections like cost-of-living considerations, and the first profit-sharing deal in Daimler history, according to UAW President Shawn Fain.
Daimler Truck is a major manufacturer of trucks and buses, responsible for producing Thomas Built buses, a popular brand of school buses in the United States. The specifics of the tentative agreement have not been disclosed, and CNN has reached out to Daimler Truck for comment. This development marks a significant victory for the UAW, coming on the heels of increased momentum for the union. In a recent breakthrough, hourly workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee voted overwhelmingly to join the union, expanding the UAW’s reach in organizing workers at plants nationwide.
The UAW has also announced an effort to represent workers at nine other foreign automakers with American plants, including BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Volvo. The union has already filed for a representation election at the Mercedes plant in Vance, Alabama, outside Tuscaloosa, with the vote set to take place next month and conclude in mid-May. These organizing efforts are building on the success of a six-week strike at the nation’s three unionized automakers – General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis – last fall, which resulted in record pay increases for UAW members at the three companies.
The recent successes for the UAW are a testament to the strength and resilience of the labor movement in the United States. President Biden’s support for the union’s efforts to secure fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members highlights the importance of collective bargaining in ensuring a sustainable and equitable economy. The agreement with Daimler Truck sets a positive example for other companies in the automotive industry to follow, demonstrating that investing in the workforce through union representation can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes for both workers and employers.
As the UAW continues to expand its reach and influence across different automakers and industries, it is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of labor relations in the United States. By advocating for workers’ rights and empowering employees to stand together for better treatment and compensation, the union is leading the charge towards a more just and inclusive economy. The success of the recent organizing efforts at Daimler Truck and Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga underscores the growing demand for union representation among American workers and the potential for collective action to drive positive change in the workplace.