Strike Four | A look at the nationwide strikes

While the strikes for the automotive and healthcare industries have ended, the ones for the hotel and education industries remain ongoing. Photo collage by JACK SUNDBLAD, Staff Photographer

The United States has witnessed a surge in labor strikes over the past few months, spanning diverse sectors and highlighting the evolving dynamics of organized labor. 

From the historic United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes reshaping the automotive industry's landscape to the healthcare workers' strike against Kaiser Permanente, the hotel strikes in Southern California and the teachers’ strike, each labor dispute reflects the intersection of worker demands, corporate negotiations and societal implications. 

“This collective labor activity and the various successes have come at a time when hope is especially needed,” said Lilia Monzo, an associate professor in the Attallah College of Educational Studies at Chapman University. “It signals the ability and growing commitment to organize, collectivize and to support each other in solidarity.” 

UAW Strikes

Since Sept. 15, 25,000 UAW members have been on strike across five factories and 38 parts distribution centers, marking the first simultaneous strike against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Led by UAW President Shawn Fain, the strikes have already achieved a significant victory as General Motors agreed to include future electric vehicle (EV) plant workers under the national UAW master agreement. 

This move aligns with the union's emphasis on a "just transition" amidst the auto industry's shift towards environmentally sustainable production models.

The UAW's demands include union recognition at new EV plants, a 36% wage increase over four years, restoration of cost-of-living wage increases, a four-day workweek with overtime pay, employer-paid healthcare for retirees, the right to strike over plant closures and the elimination of employment tiers that categorize workers into two groups; those hired before 2007 have been receiving better wages than those hired after. 

The strike has strategically targeted the Big Three — General Motors Company, Stellantis (formerly known as Fiat Chrysler) and Ford Motor Company — capitalizing on the element of surprise to secure concessions, such as the recent win on EV plants.

Executive compensation disparities are a focal point, with Big Three CEOs — Mary Barra, Carlos Tavares and Jim Farley — earning between $21 and $29 million in 2022, while workers' wages have fallen 19.3% since 2008. 

President Joe Biden made history by walking the picket line on day 12 of the strike, highlighting its significance and expressing support for the workers. Biden is the first president to walk the picket line while in office.

“Wall Street didn’t build the country,” Biden said. “The middle class built the country, and unions built the middle class. And that’s a fact. So let’s keep going. You deserve what you’ve earned, and you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than you’re getting paid now.” 

The strike represents a pivotal moment in the fight between 150,000 auto workers and millionaire executives, with 58% of Americans supporting the union's stance. 

On Oct. 25, negotiators UAW negotiators and Ford Motor reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year labor contract, concluding a series of strikes initiated by the union against major Detroit automakers that lasted almost six weeks. The proposed deal entails a substantial 25% salary increase spread over the specified timeframe. Approval from the UAW overseeing Ford relations is a prerequisite for the agreement, followed by ratification from the company's unionized workforce. 

Oct. 30 saw the end of the six-week historic UAW strikes. Negotiators concluded tentative contract agreements with General Motors Company and Stellantis. These agreements, awaiting ratification by union members, promise substantial pay raises for workers, marking a significant development in labor negotiations. The resolution also averts a prolonged work stoppage that could have had damaging effects on the economy. President Biden, who publicly supported the striking workers, stands to gain politically from this outcome. 

The impact extends beyond the involved companies, raising questions about labor conditions and demands for higher pay among non-union automakers like Tesla and Toyota. The competitive threat posed by these nonunion counterparts, particularly in the South, has been cited by executives as a challenge in meeting workers' demands.

Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Strikes

The largest health care workers' strike in U.S. history was a three-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike orchestrated by The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions in response to Kaiser's perceived reluctance to engage in substantive negotiations leading up to the contract's expiration on Sept. 30 of this year.

The strike was characterized by strong turnout and enthusiastic picket lines with diverse elements such as DJs, costumes, drummers and food. The united coalition successfully negotiated a four-year contract on Oct. 13, featuring annual raises of 6% in the first year and 5% in the following three years. The agreement includes a $1,500 ratification bonus, higher minimum wages, maintained health care benefits and the removal of regional wage variations.

The contract also addresses industry-specific challenges faced by healthcare workers, particularly those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It introduces measures to alleviate stress and staffing issues, including increased shift differentials after 30 years, protections against outsourcing and the development of a readily available workforce. This is implemented through initiatives like AlliedUP, which works to transform the work environment of the healthcare industry by incorporating supportive positions like medical assistants and vocational registered nurses.

Southern California Hotel Strikes

This summer, Los Angeles became the epicenter of significant labor unrest, particularly in the hotel industry. 

The strike, initiated by Unite Here Local 11 and representing around 15,000 hotel workers, started in early July when union contracts for workers at approximately 60 hotels expired. The workers consist of cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen and front desk agents, all of whom demanded higher wages, improved healthcare, higher pension contributions, better safety protections and more manageable workloads.

Amidst this, the American Political Science Association (APSA) faced a dilemma as it proceeded with its annual meeting in Los Angeles, drawing approximately 6,000 attendees. The chosen venue, JW Marriott, was experiencing a series of staged strikes by hotel workers, which commenced just before the APSA event.

In response to calls to cancel the meeting, APSA leaders decided to proceed in Los Angeles, but modified the arrangements. They shifted all events initially scheduled at JW Marriott to the Los Angeles Convention Center, a venue unaffected by labor action. This decision, however, triggered backlash from APSA members, leading to hundreds of scholars withdrawing from the event in solidarity with the striking hotel workers.

In August, California lieutenant governor Eleni Kounalakis and other elected officials wrote an open letter to Taylor Swift in a plea to postpone her L.A. concerts in solidarity with the workers on strike. 

“Hotel workers are fighting for their lives,” the officials wrote. “They are fighting for a living wage. They have gone on strike. Now, they are asking for your support. Speak Now! Stand with hotel workers and postpone your concerts.”

Previously, employers were replacing union members on strike with managers and temporary workers. However, in recent weeks, they have begun recruiting migrants from Colombia and Venezuela, some of whom were shipped on buses to LA by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year. 

As the strikes continue, the union has then broadened its call for solidarity and thousands of hotel workers in Southern California have participated in staggered walkouts, surpassing the 100th strike mark. Despite tentative agreements with some hotels, a resolution with the broader industry is yet to be reached.

Fresno and Portland Public Schools Strikes

In Fresno, the Teachers Association filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the Fresno Unified School District on Oct. 20. The complaint alleges that the school's principal and vice principal improperly urged teachers to focus only on academics when speaking with parents, restricting discussions about the potential strike. 

The complaint also claims that the district's chief communications officer authorized administrators to inquire if staff supported a strike, potentially leading to improper interrogation. 

Simultaneously, in Oregon's largest school system, Portland Public Schools (PPS), teachers voted to authorize a strike after negotiations with the district failed. The Portland Association of Teachers reported that 99% of Portland teachers voted to strike. 

“We have been working without a contract since January,” said Jennifer Lee, a second grade teacher involved in the PPS teachers strike. We worked through the pandemic without a contract as well (and went without a cost-of-living adjustment). We are asking for: 8.5% for (the first) year, 7% for (the second) year (and) 6% for (the third) year . (The) district is only offering 3.5% per year, which is less than the rate of inflation, so in real terms, it’s a pay cut.”  

The union is demanding more funding and resources, while the district contends that meeting all these demands would exceed the budget. In the event of a strike, PPS plans to close schools and provide self-directed lessons for students at home.

“PPS ranks near the bottom of the 14 other districts for top salary,” Lee said. “We aren’t asking for a raise, just a cost-of-living-adjustment. PPS has increased its central office spending (paying for more administrators), while decreasing spending on classrooms.” 

Both strikes reflect broader challenges in the education sector, with teachers advocating for better wages, working conditions and resources, while districts face budget constraints and administrative considerations. 

The consequences of these strikes extend beyond the negotiating table. They are impacting students, families and the functioning of the educational institutions involved.

“Those of us involved in revolutionary work must recognize and learn from the energy and insights produced among the strikers to develop broader movements with the people and to develop a philosophy of revolution that is grounded on the people’s concrete struggles”, said Chapman professor Monzo.