New UAW Video, “Broken Promises,” Reveals the Roots of the Stand Up Strike Against the Big Three Automakers

DETROIT – The UAW just released “Broken Promises,” a new video that reveals the deep roots of the union’s ongoing strike against the Big Three automakers.

The video can be accessed at this link, and the media is invited to use the footage.

The video, narrated by UAW President Shawn Fain, describes the deal made during the Great Recession when the auto industry was on the brink of collapse. As Fain says, “The deal was, UAW members take some short-term cuts for the long-term survival of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.”

Those short-term cuts have lasted 15 years. Autoworkers hired after 2007 have been denied the pensions and retiree healthcare coverage won by generations of UAW members before them. The starting wages of post-2007 workers were slashed, and it now takes eight years for a full-time UAW member to reach top pay.

The majority of UAW members at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis are currently stuck in this second tier.

“Broken Promises” features footage of President Joe Biden’s historic visit last week to a UAW picket line in Belleville, Michigan. Speaking to Big Three strikers, Biden says, “You saved the auto industry back in 2008 and before. Made a lot of sacrifices, gave up a lot. And the companies were in trouble. And now they’re doing incredibly well. And guess what? You should be doing incredibly well, too.”

The Big Three made a quarter-trillion dollars in North American profits over the last ten years. They made $21 billion in total profits in just the first six months of this year.

The UAW launched its historic Stand Up Strike against all three automakers when the contracts expired on Sept. 14, and 25,000 UAW members are now on strike at 43 Big Three facilities in 21 states. Click here for a full list and map of the facilities on strike.

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