The historic victory of the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the Big Three automakers has energized the auto industry and inspired thousands of autoworkers across the country to unionize.
Many workers in factories for auto giants such as Toyota, Honda, and Subaru—all of which operate non-union factories—are joining forces to form independent unions. Most are citing the UAW’s success as a major motivating factor.
For example, a group of autoworkers in Mississippi is using the UAW victory as an example of what is possible. In January, they announced their intention to organize a union and are currently petitioning the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election at their factory.
Other unions, such as the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), are stepping in to help non-union workers form their independent unions. IATSE recently offered to provide technical and legal assistance to the Mississippi autoworkers, calling the UAW’s victory a “tremendous milestone for workers’ rights.”
In addition, major U.S. labor groups, such as the AFL-CIO, have endorsed these efforts and are urging workers to join together to fight for better wages and working conditions.
The surge in union organizing among autoworkers is likely to continue in the wake of the UAW’s victory. With more and more auto workers fed up with low wages and poor working conditions, the UAW’s success is likely to be a powerful source of inspiration for other workers looking to improve their situation.
