The Disappearing Union
Founded in 1935, the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Automobile Workers (UAW) is an American labor union representing workers from the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada. The UAW is a diverse union with the majority of its members coming from the automotive industry. They currently have approximately 400,000 active members with another 580,000 retired members according to the UAW website. Since the 1970’s UAW membership has been on the decline. Even knowing that union workers on the average earning 27.6% more than nonunion workers in the private sector. With advancements in automation, and the increased Globalization of business practices in the automotive industry. The UAW is no longer in the driver’s seat within the American automobile industry. …show more content…
S. automakers helped significantly reduce profits for the American auto companies. When Volkswagen, Honda, and other foreign automakers began opening plants in the Southern States. They ran and operated them with nonunion employees. The fuel costs rising, the U.S. auto makers began losing market shares to foreign manufacturing, who were building a higher fuel economy car. This then led to layoffs and job losses to UAW members. In an attempt to become profitable again, advancements in automation on the assembly line were implemented, which also exposed the union worker to job losses. Advancements with robotic welders, automated assembly lines, and paint lines increased productive. What would have taken five to six workers now only takes
Founded in 1935, the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Automobile Workers (UAW) is an American labor union representing workers from the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada. The UAW is a diverse union with the majority of its members coming from the automotive industry. They currently have approximately 400,000 active members with another 580,000 retired members according to the UAW website. Since the 1970’s UAW membership has been on the decline. Even knowing that union workers on the average earning 27.6% more than nonunion workers in the private sector. With advancements in automation, and the increased Globalization of business practices in the automotive industry. The UAW is no longer in the driver’s seat within the American automobile industry. …show more content…
S. automakers helped significantly reduce profits for the American auto companies. When Volkswagen, Honda, and other foreign automakers began opening plants in the Southern States. They ran and operated them with nonunion employees. The fuel costs rising, the U.S. auto makers began losing market shares to foreign manufacturing, who were building a higher fuel economy car. This then led to layoffs and job losses to UAW members. In an attempt to become profitable again, advancements in automation on the assembly line were implemented, which also exposed the union worker to job losses. Advancements with robotic welders, automated assembly lines, and paint lines increased productive. What would have taken five to six workers now only takes