“Unite for Justice! Thousands of Autoworkers Stand Together After UAW Victory over Big Three

The recent victory for the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the United States’ Big Three automobile manufacturers— Ford, GM, and Chrysler— is a win for the union, but it’s also opened the door for other workers at major automakers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan to join the union. Thousands of autoworkers across these foreign-owned companies have begun to move towards unionizing and have achieved some successes in their attempts. The UAW began its organizing efforts in early 2020 when it announced its plan to target foreign automakers after years of successful negotiations with the Big Three. Since then, the union has held demonstrations at Toyota, Honda, and Nissan manufacturing plants across the country. The protests have drawn attention to the plight of foreign-owned autoworkers, many of whom are employed on less than desirable wages with minimal job security and benefits. These actions have led to a wave of unionizing efforts among autoworkers in Japanese-owned automakers. In February 2021, workers at a Honda manufacturing plant in Indiana and a Nissan plant in Mississippi voted to unionize, becoming the first foreign-owned auto plants to do so since decades of failed attempts. Though the process of unionizing can be a lengthy and challenging one, it is a necessary step for workers to gain better wages, benefits, and job security. By joining the UAW, foreign autoworkers would be able to receive the same benefits as their Big Three counterparts. The union also provides support for organizing activities and collective bargaining which is an invaluable resource for workers who would otherwise face an uphill battle in negotiating improved wages and benefits. The success at Honda, Nissan, and other foreign-owned automakers is a major milestone for the UAW. By demonstrating its effectiveness at winning better working conditions for its members, the union is paving the way for similar successes in the future. With the success of these unionizing efforts, autoworkers across the United States can look forward to brighter futures and improved workplace conditions.