The recent decision by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to unionize the Big Three automakers is having ripple effects throughout the automotive industry. Thousands of autoworkers at Toyota, Honda, and other non-U.S.-based companies are considering forming their own union, in the wake of the recent victory of the UAW over management at Ford, GM, and Chrysler.
The UAW’s victory has given hope to workers at foreign-owned automakers, such as Toyota and Honda, who are demanding better wages, improved working conditions, and greater job security. Until recently, union membership was limited to U.S.-based companies, but the success of the Big Three unionization efforts are providing momentum to organized labor in the international automotive sector as well.
The situation at Honda is particularly notable, as the company, which is based in Japan, has been famously resistant to union organizing. Workers at the company’s large manufacturing plant in Marysville, Ohio are strongly considering banding together to form a union. They cite job security issues, slow wage increases, and poor working conditions as motivating factors. Honda has so far refused to negotiate with local union leaders, but some progress appears to have been made in recent days, as Honda executives recently met with union representatives.
Workers at Toyota, which is also headquartered in Japan, are similarly considering unionization as a way to improve their lot. Toyota, however, already has a successful labor-management union in Japan, which serves as a potential model for the company’s North American affiliates. In any case, the UAW’s recent victory for US autoworkers is providing new energy and enthusiasm to labor organizing efforts abroad.
These developments are a reminder of the power of collective action. The UAW’s success has demonstrated that workers can stand together and be successful in the face of opposition from powerful corporate interests. All workers should be inspired by this example of effective and sustained union organizing.
The recent decision by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to unionize the Big Three automakers is having ripple effects throughout the automotive industry. Thousands of autoworkers at Toyota, Honda, and other non-U.S.-based companies are considering forming their own union, in the wake of the recent victory of the UAW over management at Ford, GM, and Chrysler.
The UAW’s victory has given hope to workers at foreign-owned automakers, such as Toyota and Honda, who are demanding better wages, improved working conditions, and greater job security. Until recently, union membership was limited to U.S.-based companies, but the success of the Big Three unionization efforts are providing momentum to organized labor in the international automotive sector as well.
The situation at Honda is particularly notable, as the company, which is based in Japan, has been famously resistant to union organizing. Workers at the company’s large manufacturing plant in Marysville, Ohio are strongly considering banding together to form a union. They cite job security issues, slow wage increases, and poor working conditions as motivating factors. Honda has so far refused to negotiate with local union leaders, but some progress appears to have been made in recent days, as Honda executives recently met with union representatives.
Workers at Toyota, which is also headquartered in Japan, are similarly considering unionization as a way to improve their lot. Toyota, however, already has a successful labor-management union in Japan, which serves as a potential model for the company’s North American affiliates. In any case, the UAW’s recent victory for US autoworkers is providing new energy and enthusiasm to labor organizing efforts abroad.
These developments are a reminder of the power of collective action. The UAW’s success has demonstrated that workers can stand together and be successful in the face of opposition from powerful corporate interests. All workers should be inspired by this example of effective and sustained union organizing.
