“Autoworkers Scrutinize Record-Breaking Pay Increases – Will They Accept The New Deals?

As American auto-workers prepare for a crucial decision this week in whether to accept a proposed new contracts with striking workers nationwide, there remains a hesitancy to accept the offer in spite of promising pay increases. Record levels of wages have been promised and there has nothing but enthusiasm from the companies, who include General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, and Ford, as they look to placate nearly 50,000 angered workers. However, the new contracts come hand-in-hand with job losses and harsh working conditions, conditions that have continued to wear away at the trust of the American public. The proposed new contract, if accepted, will offer a two-year wage increase of four percent to the current bargaining wages, representing the largest increase since the 2008 recession. It will also provide advanced drivers with a $60,000 bonus as well as improved healthcare coverage and wage protection. These promises appear to be attractive, yet have been overshadowed by longer-term implications brought on by job cuts and harder-working schedules. Workers are afraid of job security and an increase in workload that the contract could potentially bring. A further issue is the growing reliance on part-time workers to fill in for full-time employees, introducing a more unreliable and potentially unstable workforce. One representative for the union, Terry Dittes, in a statement released to the public expressed concerned over the latest offers, saying it “failed to produce a contract that could secure the promises of quality jobs for the members of the United Auto Workers.The pattern that we set with signature companies will be felt across the industry.” The process of ratification of the contract began on a Monday 18th November and will likely conclude by Friday the 29th. If the contract is ratified, it could mean a much-welcomed raise in wages, but with the ever-present fear of job losses and overworking conditions that could follow,it remains to be seen if the American Auto-workers will accept a new and completely different status quo.