A close-up view of the signs used by the United Auto Workers members to picket outside a Jeep Plant in Toledo, Ohio last September.
Sarah Rice/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Sarah Rice/Getty Images
A close-up view of the signs used by the United Auto Workers members to picket outside a Jeep Plant in Toledo, Ohio last September.
Sarah Rice/Getty Images
A year ago at this time, members of the United Auto Workers Union were feeling powerful and optimistic. The group’s new President Shawn Fain had called a historic strike. For the first time, the Union walked out on ALL three big automakers.
It was a bold move that by most measures worked. It ultimately brought Ford, GM and Stellantis much closer to the union’s demands for historic raises and new job protections.
The strike’s success had people predicting a bigger and more powerful union.
A year on the union is still staring down some major challenges.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Brianna Scott, Christine Arrasmith, Gabe O’Connor and Gustavo Contreas. It was edited by Courtney Dorning, Pallavi Gogoi, Ed McNulty and Emily Kopp. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.