DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

April 3 (Reuters) - Membership in the United Auto Workers union rose 3% in 2022 to 383,000 as it works to organize workers in battery plants and other electric vehicle components. Fain said last week the union was ready to go to war against "employers who refuse to give our members their fair share." Membership in the Detroit-based union rose from 372,000 in 2021 but is still down from 397,000 at the end of 2020. North American operations for the Detroit Three automakers are under pressure as they pour billions into electric vehicles and battery production. In 2019, UAW workers at GM went on strike for 40 days before a new contract was ratified, costing the automaker $3 billion.

☆ Elon Musk broke the law with a tweet about Tesla stock options, court rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk broke labor law with a 2018 tweet about Tesla employees' stock options, a court ruled. The US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said Musk threatened staff in the wake of a unionization drive. But why pay union dues & give up stock options for nothing? Tesla argued that because Musk said there was nothing stopping Tesla workers joining a union, it couldn't be regarded as a threat. "Because stock options are part of Tesla's employees' compensation, and nothing in the tweet suggested that Tesla would be forced to end stock options or that the UAW would be the cause of giving up stock options, substantial evidence supports the NLRB's conclusion that the tweet is as an implied threat to end stock options as retaliation for unionization," the panel wrote in its conclusion.

"You're going to see a lot more aggressive UAW," Fain told reporters late Monday after a day-long meeting with local union officials. Those contracts could be models for the UAW's goals in talks with the Detroit automakers beginning this summer, analysts said. The Detroit automakers have reported robust profits during the past four years from their North American operations, mainly thanks to the pickup trucks and SUVs that UAW members assemble. Securing UAW jobs as the Detroit automakers shift toward electric vehicles is a "top priority," Fain said. The UAW and Detroit automakers will begin bargaining toward new contracts this summer.

☆ UAW Members Elect Reform Candidate as President
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Nora Eckert | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

UAW President-elect Shawn Fain, who talked to employees outside a Michigan plant earlier this year, has vowed to be tough in contract negotiations. The United Auto Workers elected reform candidate Shawn Fain as its next leader, according to Mr. Fain and his opponent, marking an upheaval in the union’s top ranks and creating a wild card for auto makers ahead of contract talks in Detroit. Mr. Fain, a 54-year-old who started his career as an electrician and rose through the UAW ranks while working at factories now owned by Stellantis NV, has struck a more strident tone ahead of negotiations later this year. His reform group has vowed to not give any concessions to the car companies and raised the possibility of a strike when contracts expire this fall.

☆ Challenger wins UAW labor union presidency, vows reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - Shawn Fain on Saturday won the race for United Auto Workers president, narrowly defeating incumbent head Ray Curry in a shakeup for the Detroit-based labor union. Labor contracts with Detroit's Big Three automakers expire in September and Fain has vowed to take a tough line with them. The UAW is working to organize new battery plants and members worry that shifting to electric vehicles will cost jobs. The UAW won a key victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union. The union has unsuccessfully sought to organize workers at foreign-based U.S. auto plants including Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and Nissan (7201.T).

☆ Challenger wins United Auto Workers presidency vowing reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - Shawn Fain narrowly won the race as United Auto Workers president, narrowly defeating the current union head Ray Curry in a shakeup for the Detroit-based union. Curry said in a statement Fain will be sworn in Sunday, a day ahead of the start of the union's bargaining convention. Fain has vowed to take a tough line in contract talks with the Detroit Three automakers. The UAW won a key victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors (GM.N)-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union. Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Marguerita Choy and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ United Auto Workers Union Elects Reform Candidate as Next President
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Nora Eckert | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

UAW President-elect Shawn Fain, who talked to employees outside a Michigan plant earlier this year, has vowed to be tough in contract negotiations. The United Auto Workers elected reform candidate Shawn Fain as its next leader, marking an upheaval in the union’s top ranks and creating a wild card for auto makers ahead of contract talks in Detroit. Mr. Fain, a 54-year-old who started his career as an electrician and rose through the UAW ranks while working at factories now owned by Stellantis NV, has struck a more strident tone ahead of negotiations later this year.

☆ Historic UAW election picks reform leader who vows more aggressive approach to auto negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The union's new leader will be Shawn Fain, a member of the "UAW Members United" reform group and local leader for a Stellantis parts plant in Indiana. Fain, in a statement Saturday, thanked UAW members who voted in the election. He also hailed the election results as a historic change in direction for the embattled union, which he says will take a "more aggressive approach" with its employers. It has been the honor of my life to serve our great union," Curry said. The election results had been delayed several weeks due to a run-off election as well as the close final count.

☆ UAW presidential challenger claims lead as rival campaign files protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - Union challenger Shawn Fain is narrowly leading United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ray Curry in a runoff election as Curry's campaign said it had filed a protest. Earlier this month, a court-appointed monitor said Fain received 69,118 votes and Curry has 68,473 votes – a difference of 645 votes - but with 1,608 unresolved challenged ballots. The UAW is working to organize new battery plants and members worry that shifting to electric vehicles will cost jobs. Curry has been president of the UAW since June 2021, and a UAW member since 1992. The UAW won a victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors (GM.N)-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union.

☆ UAW presidential challenger holds lead as rival campaign files protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - Challenger Shawn Fain is narrowly leading United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ray Curry in a runoff election for leadership of the powerful union, as Curry's campaign said it had filed a protest over issues including undelivered ballots. A group backing Fain said that lead means his victory is "all but assured." The UAW is working to organize new battery plants and members worry that shifting to electric vehicles will cost jobs. Curry has been president of the UAW since June 2021, and a UAW member since 1992. The UAW won a victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors (GM.N)-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union.

☆ Caterpillar union workers vote in favor of six-year labor agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 12 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said members at four local chapters working at Caterpillar (CAT.N) have voted in favor of a new six-year labor contract with the firm, preventing a strike at the world's largest construction and mining equipment-maker. The contract covers roughly 7,000 union workers at plants in central Illinois and a parts distribution center in York, Pennsylvania. It wasn't immediately clear how many members voted to ratify the contract. Rank and file union workers at the company have expressed anger and frustration over the deal, saying that wage increases weren't commensurate in the face of rising inflation. The UAW's contract ratification with Caterpillar comes just six months ahead of the deadline for the union and the three Detroit automakers concluding new master contracts covering roughly 143,000 workers.

Club holdings Caterpillar (CAT), Emerson Electric (EMR) and Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) are in the news Monday. Emerson's decline is overblown EMR YTD mountain Emerson Electric (EMR) YTD performance The news: UBS upgraded its rating on American industrials giant Emerson Electric back to a buy but lowered its price target by $3-per-share to $97. We also agree that EMR stock has an attractive valuation. So, we were never contemplating any deal with Range Resources," Sheffield said. The Club continues to ponder whether to continue owning three different exploration and production companies: Pioneer, Coterra Energy (CTRA) and Devon Energy (DVN).

☆ Caterpillar reaches tentative deal with union, averting possible strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 1 (Reuters) - Construction equipment maker Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) said on Wednesday it reached a tentative six-year labor agreement with a union that represents workers at its four facilities, possibly fending off a strike. Union workers had threatened to strike for wage increases, improved safety measures and better healthcare benefits once the existing six-year labor contract expires. The United Auto Workers (UAW) said its negotiating team had reached the tentative agreement before the contract ends on March 1. "Members at four locals in Illinois and Pennsylvania will review the tentative agreement and vote at upcoming ratification meetings," the UAW said in a statement, without giving any other details. In January, union workers at the four Caterpillar facilities voted almost unanimously to authorize a strike, according to one local union's Facebook page.

☆ Biden taps CEOs of 3M, CVS, FedEx, Citi, others to join his Export Council on trade
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. President Joe Biden has appointed the heads of Citigroup , United Airlines , CVS , 3M and FedEx , among other top executives, to sit on a White House advisory committee overseeing international trade. The President's Export Council gives recommendations and insight into the ways government policies impact U.S. trade performance. The group also provides feedback on how Biden's trade policies are affecting businesses across sectors from industry and labor to agriculture. She previously served as chief operating officer and group president of Starbucks and CEO of Sam's Club. The Export Council features expertise from labor, real estate, national security and law, and leaders of Fortune 200 companies.

☆ Stellantis seeks 'solution' for shuttered Illinois Jeep plant, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We need to find a solution for the fact that the technology that has been decided is 40% more expensive" than combustion vehicles, Tavares told reporters during a videoconference. As Stellantis shifts its product mix toward electric vehicles, "the way to do business in the U.S. is going to change," Tavares said. "You get a more affordable proposition than the BEV," he said, referring to battery electric vehicles. Tavares said battery technology "has not stabilized." Raw materials needed for today's batteries could change as battery technology changes, he said.

☆ Tesla reportedly laid off dozens of workers after union announcement, NLRB complaint alleges
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Kate Duffy | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla terminated dozens of employees at a site that had just announced a union campaign, an NLRB complaint alleges. Workers United claims Tesla is attempting to "discourage union activity," Bloomberg first reported. Spokespeople for Tesla and Workers United did not respond to a request for comment from Insider ahead of publication. In 2017, some Tesla workers sought to unionize with the help of the United Auto Workers Union (UAW), but the initiative was unsuccessful. More recently, the NLRB ruled in August that Tesla's policy that restricts workers from wearing a union insignia is "unlawful."

☆ Ford to recognize UAW 'card check' for new Michigan battery plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) has agreed to recognize the United Auto Workers (UAW) at a new planned Michigan battery plant if a majority of workers sign cards, the automaker and union said. Under the "card check" process, a majority of plant hourly workers could simply sign cards supporting the union, and once certified an election would not be necessary. In December, workers at a General Motors-LG Energy Solution (GM.N), (373220.KS) Ultium Cells battery cell factory in northeast Ohio overwhelmingly voted to join the UAW. Ultium had rejected the UAW's bid to use card check at the plant. Reporting by David Shepardson and Ben Klayman; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ CNH Industrial union workers end strike at two U.S. plants with deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 22 (Reuters) - Members of two local unions at CNH Industrial NV (CNHI.MI) factories in Wisconsin and Iowa reached an agreement over a new labor contract on Saturday, ending a strike that has been ongoing since last May, the United Auto Workers union said. The contract, which was voted on as an improved "last, best, and final offer" by CNH Industrial workers, included wage increases, shift premium increases, classification upgrades and as other improvements, the UAW said in a statement. The UAW, which represents more than 1,000 hourly workers at the two plants, did not disclose details of the vote. More than 1,000 union members in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, walked off their equipment-making jobs in May after a six-year contract expired at the facilities. The agreement came after the local unions had this month rejected a tentative contract.

☆ CNH Industrial union workers at two U.S. plants reject proposed contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Bianca Flowers | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Still, union members said the proposed contract failed to provide enough of a raise to combat inflation, additional vacation days or better healthcare coverage. The UAW represents about 1,000 workers at the plants, and union officials had warned a rejection of the latest offer was likely. With a tightening labor market, union workers in the industrial sector for companies such as Boeing (BA.N) and Deere & Co (DE.N) have gone on strike in recent years. For CNH workers, who last struck the company in 2004, some have taken second jobs to augment strike pay they receive from the UAW. Reporting by Bianca Flowers in Racine, Wisconsin; Editing by Leslie Adler, Ben Klayman, William Mallard and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ University of California's striking academic workers begin vote on labor deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The proposed contract agreement was hailed by union and university supporters as a landmark labor deal that would set a new national standard boosting wages and working conditions for graduate students employed at public universities. The walkout dragged on for weeks as the fall term drew to a close, disrupting final exams, study sessions and grading of papers throughout California's flagship university system. In terms of workers involved, it ranked as larger than any previous strike at a U.S. academic institution, union leaders said. Two other UAW locals negotiating on behalf of 12,000 post-doctoral scholars and researchers ratified a separate settlement and returned to work earlier this month. Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The deal, which includes significant raises for the employees, ends the grad students' five-week strike. Sarah Reingewirtz / Los Angeles Daily News via Getty ImagesOn Friday evening, United Auto Workers, the union representing the striking student workers, hailed the tentative agreement and praised Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg for helping accelerate negotiations. The University of California said it would make health care accessible to the dependents of student employees and enhance paid family leave benefits. System president Michael V. Drake was pleased with Friday's outcome and recognized the workers' role in the system's lauded education and research. "Our Academic Student Employees and Graduate Student Researchers are central to our academic enterprise and make incredible contributions to the University’s mission of research and education," he said in a statement.

☆ UAW union president optimistic on quick contract with GM-LG battery venture
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ray Curry said Monday he is optimistic the union can quickly reach a contract deal with a General Motors (GM.N), LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) battery cell joint venture factory. The Detroit Three automakers all have battery plants in the works with South Korean partners and Ultium is building two other U.S. battery plants in Tennessee and Michigan. He said it would be "premature" to say how a deal with the union would affect labor costs or business structure. Ultium is building a $2.6 billion plant in Michigan, set to open in 2024. This month, Ultium said it would boost its planned investment in a $2.3 billion Tennessee plant by $275 million.

☆ U.S. finalizes $2.5 billion loan to GM, LG battery joint venture
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Reuters first reported in July the planned loan to Ultium Cells LLC from the government's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. Last week, workers at the $2.3 billion Ultium plant in Ohio voted to join the UAW, a win for the union, which is seeking to organize the growing EV supply chain. GM and LG Energy are considering an Indiana site for a fourth U.S. battery plant. The Energy Department said the $3 billion would provide an estimated $40 billion in additional loan authority for a total estimated available authority under ATVM of about $55.1 billion before the Ultium loan. The ATVM loan program in July closed on a $102.1 million loan to Syrah Technologies LLC (SYR.AX) for expansion of a facility producing a key component for batteries.

☆ Workers at GM-LG Battery Plant in Ohio Vote to Unionize
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Nora Eckert | Mike Colias | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Ultium Cells battery plant in Warren, Ohio, is a joint venture of GM and LG Energy Solution. Workers at an Ohio battery plant co-owned by General Motors Co. voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the United Auto Workers, bolstering the union as it seeks to solidify its membership amid the auto industry’s push toward electric vehicles. Employees at the plant voted 710-to-16 in favor of joining the UAW. The Ultium Cells LLC plant, a joint venture between GM and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution Ltd., began operations in late August and employs about 900 people.

WASHINGTON/DETROIT, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Chrysler parent Stellantis (STLA.MI) on Friday said it will indefinitely halt operations at an assembly plant in Illinois in February, citing the rising costs of electric vehicle production. The automaker, which employs about 1,350 workers at the Belvidere, Illinois, plant that builds the Jeep Cherokee SUV, said the action will result in indefinite layoffs and added it may not resume operations as it considers other options. Stellantis has said it will invest over 30 billion euros ($31.6 billion) through 2025 on electrifying its vehicle lineup. Stellantis spokeswoman Jodi Tinson would not comment on whether the Cherokee production would be moved to Toluca. UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada noted Stellantis imports many vehicles into the United States and said "companies like Stellantis receive billions in government incentives to transition to clean energy.

Search resuls for: "The UAW"

25 mentions found