End Cross Border Whipsawing
UAWD Priority resolution for
the 2023 Bargaining Convention
Resolution to Fight Cross Border Whipsawing & Collaborate with Canadian Autoworkers
Corporations like the Big 3 try to use any means to pit workers against each other, including national ties, but the saying “an injury to one is an injury to all” knows no borders.
Update: This resolution was not considered at the 2023 Bargaining Convention.
Background
- For the first time since 1999, the major contracts of U.S. & Canadian auto workers expire at the same time. In addition, British Ford workers’ contracts also expire at the same time as U.S. Big 3 workers.
- Unifor, the primary union for Canada’s autoworkers, represents more than 23,000 unionized workers at Big 3 facilities, and 16,000 workers at independent parts facilities. The UAW represents more than 150,000 U.S. autoworkers. The UAW and Unifor both organize sectors well beyond automobiles and, together, represent nearly 900,000 employees.
- There is serious concern that Big 3 and other auto industry companies will continue to push to lower labor costs by pitting Canadian and U.S. auto workers against each other.
- We should build bridges between workers across national borders and resist attempts by automakers to take further advantage of nationalism, engaging in practices that set one group of unionized workers against another.
- We should promote collaboration between Unifor and the UAW to have both unions’ negotiators work to not undercut each other, and instead to achieve the best contracts for all workers in the sector.
Opposition from the Administration Caucus
- In 1985, the predecessor of the AC was a party in a tragic split between the UAW and the Canadian Auto Workers (Unifor’s predecessor). Since then, both sides have made damaging concessions to management in the name of preserving “Canadian” or “American” jobs.
- This has resulted in Big 3 management exploiting nationalistic sentiments to tamp down wages, outsource jobs, change work rules, cut benefits, and substitute temporary labor for the work of union members.
- The renegotiated NAFTA agreement, known as USMCA, which went into effect in 2020, saw Unifor and the UAW begin to put aside historic differences and collaborate to win new provisions beneficial to the workers they represent.
- Even today, the AC continues to exploit nationalistic sentiments, and seems poised to squander the opportunity presented by the expiration of master contracts covering Unifor and UAW auto workers.
Why Ending Whipsawing Matters
- With both UAW and Unifor now ready to negotiate master contracts, it is critical for both unions to take this historic opportunity and end cross-border whipsawing, which only benefits management and investors and harms workers.
- Both the UAW and Unifor have new leadership and fresh impetus to work hand-in-hand for the best contract possible with respect to workers in both nations. At a minimum, an agreement not to undercut each other in auto sector negotiations would send a message that the “race to the bottom” that management wants to sustain is over.
- Thus, for UAW Members in all sectors, a new era of Unifor/UAW (and beyond) collaboration, with respect for the autonomy of both entities, could benefit all unionized workers in all nations and launch an era of cross-national labor unity.
Draft Resolution
Whereas, corporations seek to increase profits by driving down labor costs;
Whereas, corporations don’t concern themselves with national borders when seeking to drive down labor costs;
Whereas, corporations are all too happy to pit workers in one nation against workers in another nation exploiting working class nationalistic tendencies;
Whereas, Unifor, the primary union for auto workers in Canada, represents 23,500 members, working at facilities across the Big 3, as well as 16,000 members at independent parts facilities;
Whereas, for the first time since 1999 UAW autoworkers and Canadian autoworkers contracts have concurrent expirations;
Whereas, raising the standard of living of workers can only be accomplished if we embrace our common interests and reject the nationalist tendencies that the corporations will exploit;
Therefore be it resolved that UAW negotiators and Unifor negotiators work in collaboration to get the best contract for all workers in auto;
Be it further resolved that we agree not to undercut one another in contract negotiations;
Be it further resolved that we work towards common expirations and shorter terms for UAW and Unifor contracts, not just in auto but in other sectors where we have contracts in common, to allow the collaboration to continue in future contract negotiations.
2023 Convention
Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD) is a grassroots movement of UAW members united in the common goal of creating a more democratic and accountable union.
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