Tension Builds Up With UAW Over Unequal Pay

Talks between UAW and manufacturers are not heading towards a favorable direction, given the fact that angry workers voted against any contract that doesn’t end the two-tier wage structure this fall. Workers hope to make themselves heard by the UAW and Detroit Three negotiators who are struggling to agree on a new deal to replace a four-year contract that ends on September 14th.

Under the present contract revised by the workers in 2007, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler can hire new workers at about $14 to $16 per hour, which is about half of the wage of current UAW workers.“We’re not even getting a living wage in this country anymore. It’s financial, economic terrorism,” Bill Woodside, a Chrysler worker from Milford was quoted as saying by Detroit Free Press.

There are about 7,000 of the 112,000 hourly workers at GM, Ford and Chrysler that are working at lower wages. Also, some entry-level workers say that they are sometimes treated like second-class workers by company officials and colleagues. UAW President Bob King has explained several times that he intends to negotiate for more income for the entry-level workers.

King said that the existence of the entry level wage has allowed the Detroit Three to add jobs, helping this way the UAW increase its membership. There were many discussions regarding the drop of the entry-level wage structure, explained Gary Walkowicz. In 2009 he led an action in order to defeat contract modifications sought by Ford and backed by UAW leaders.