Picket signs, hundreds of people chanting in unison, taking a stance on social platforms, all the while with the same goal in mind; demanding a better livelihood. This is the quintessential essence of striking when a united group comes together to take a stand for something in order to receive a change for all. Striking was seemingly the trend of the year, and the match that ignited this flame began at the helm of the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, which commenced in the spring, concluded in September, while the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strike extended until November 9. The turning point for the WGA came on September 24, after 146 days of striking, when members were informed of a “tentative” deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). This announcement led to a decisive moment on October 9, when an overwhelming 99% of WGA members voted in favor of ratifying the new contract, effectively ending their strike.
Meanwhile, SAG’s strike drew to a close with a tentative agreement reached on November 8, officially ending at 12:01 a.m. the following day. The backdrop to these strikes began on April 3, with the WGA urging its members to consider a strike vote. By April 17, a resounding 97.85% voted in favor of authorizing the strike. As the deadline for a new contract expired on May 1 without resolution, what was a looming threat of a writers’ strike in Hollywood became a reality.
UAW Strikes Against “Big Three”
A reality that then trickled down right here to our backyard here in Detroit as the historic United Auto Workers union decided to strike against the nation’s three unionized automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, known as the “Big Three.” On Monday, October 30, the United Auto Workers (UAW) brought an end to a historic strike, concluding negotiations with the Big 3 automakers in a landmark moment. This six-week strike, the longest in the U.S. auto industry in 25 years, marked the first time the UAW simultaneously targeted all three major unionized automakers: General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis.
The strike’s conclusion was triggered by a tentative labor agreement with GM, the final company among the Detroit Big 3, to reach a settlement. Ford led the way with a deal a week earlier, followed by Stellantis over the weekend, and finally GM on that pivotal Monday.
Originally, the strike began at one assembly plant per company but escalated rapidly. The UAW strategically expanded the strike six times, intensifying pressure at the bargaining table. This approach, termed a “standup strike,” allowed the union to include more factories based on negotiation outcomes, all while judiciously utilizing its strike fund.
The financial toll was immense, with estimated production losses costing billions and broader economic impacts even more substantial. The Anderson Economic Group estimated the strike’s first five weeks alone had a $9.3 billion economic impact.
Workers initially walked off their jobs on September 15, as the previous contract expired. The strike’s scale eventually encompassed over 40 facilities and approximately 46,000 workers. The new contracts include a 25% pay increase by April 2028, raising top pay to about $42 per hour. This begins with an immediate 11% increase upon ratification, followed by three annual raises of 3% each and a final 5% increase. Additionally, the restoration of cost-of-living adjustments, suspended since 2009, could push total increases beyond 30%.
Initially, the UAW demanded 40% raises, while Ford’s last pre-strike offer was a 9% increase over four years. In recent negotiations, Ford, GM, and Stellantis proposed a total of 23% pay increases. For context, from 2001 through 2022, UAW workers had seen total pay increases of 23%.
Detroit’s “Other” Big Three Takes to the Picket Lines
The chant “When we fight, we win!” wasn’t just a slogan; it was a battle cry that resonated through the streets of downtown Detroit, which houses the city’s “other big three”: the casinos. The workers at MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino, and MotorCity Casino really showed what sticking together can do. They stood firm, demanding better pay, improved healthcare, fair workloads, and some recognition for all the hard work they put in during the pandemic.
After a tough 47-day strike, the casino workers in Detroit finally endured a sigh of relief after they’ve given the thumbs up to a new five-year contract, wrapping up their part in the citywide casino strike.
Back on October 17, workers from MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and MotorCity Casino said ‘enough is enough’ and walked out. They were fed up with wages that weren’t keeping up with living costs and healthcare issues that just weren’t cutting it. But this new deal, covering around 1,700 employees, looks like a game changer. It’s got an average immediate pay raise of 18%, lighter workloads, and no extra costs for healthcare. And it’s not just the dealers and valets who are getting a better deal – the cleaning staff are in on this win, too.
These folks are part of the Detroit Casino Council, a group that looks out for nearly 4,000 employees across Detroit’s three big casinos. Their decision on Saturday to go for this deal comes a few weeks after their colleagues at the other two casinos also reached agreements, ending their month-long strike.
It was a big deal for the Detroit Casino Council (DCC), which brought together five unions and about 3,700 workers from all kinds of jobs. They were the driving force behind these talks. Their success is a real testament to what can happen when people come together for a common cause, especially in tough economic times. Much like all strikes, it’s a reminder that when workers unite and raise their voices, real change is possible.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Workers Strikes to Shield Their Livelihood, Too
After a lengthy 11-week strike, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the United Auto Workers union finally reached a tentative agreement. The deal, announced on Tuesday, November 28, was celebrated as a big win for the workers. It includes general wage increases, bonuses, and a significant change in wage progression.
The agreement also brings in tougher language to protect jobs from being outsourced, which is a huge relief for many. This success follows closely on the heels of the UAW’s contracts with the Detroit Big Three, marking the end of the Stand-Up strike.
The backstory here is pretty significant. Over 1,000 Blue Cross workers hit the picket lines back on September 13, demanding better terms in their new contract. A major sticking point was the multi-tier pay system that made workers wait 22 years to hit the top pay rate. Under the new agreement, that’s been drastically cut down to just five years.
The deal includes a $6,500 ratification bonus for Blue Cross Blue Shield workers and a $5,000 bonus for those at Blue Care Network. Additionally, they’re looking at inflation bonuses of $1,000 for each year the contract runs. It’s a package that certainly seems to address some of the key concerns that had workers out on the streets for weeks.
Detroit Public Schools Teachers Demanded Better for a Brighter Future
Back in August, Detroit Public Schools were on the brink of a major shake-up. Teachers were ready to strike if they didn’t get a new deal that addressed their pay, especially considering the rising cost of living and inflation. They wanted to see some real changes by the time the 2023-24 school year kicked off.
As they approached the first day of the school year, new teachers in the district were starting at $51,000. But in a crucial turn of events for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and its primary teachers’ union, a last-minute agreement was struck just in the nick of time, right before the old contract was about to expire in August. This new deal proposed a 6% raise for teachers at the top of the salary scale, potentially bumping their base pay to around $74,000 for the upcoming year. However, for the newer teachers, the increase was a modest step-up of about 2.4%.
When it came time to vote on Friday, August 25, at noon, the verdict was clear: 1,121 “yes” votes against 406 “no” votes. With 73.4% in favor, the one-year contract was set in stone. This 6% hike was a big win for those at the top, but it left some wondering about the ones just starting out or in the middle of their careers.
The issue of fair pay for Detroit’s teachers isn’t new. There was a time when they were some of the best-paid educators in the country. But financial crises, bankruptcy, and years under emergency financial management hit the school funding hard. Teachers faced salary freezes, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating conditions. Some even took to public protests and sick-outs, desperate to shine a light on their struggles.
The year 2023 was marked by unprecedented labor movements across various sectors; the successful conclusion of these strikes represents a significant shift in the landscape of workers’ rights and corporate negotiations. From the historic Stand-Up strike involving the UAW and the Big Three automakers to the determined efforts of Detroit’s casino and public-school employees, and finally, the victory of Blue Cross Blue Shield workers, each strike has underscored a growing trend: the power of collective action in achieving substantial improvements in wages, working conditions, and job security. These victories, hard-won through weeks of negotiation and solidarity, not only bring tangible benefits to the workers involved but also set a powerful precedent for future labor negotiations across the nation. These workers, our family, and everyday people standing side by side is a declaration of Detroit’s spirit, resilient.
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