If there is a country where capital seemed to have largely won the class struggle, it is the United States of America. But in recent years things seem to be changing. Month after month we are witnessing the appearance of a real social protest against the established economic order, Marxist vocabulary is even making a gentle reappearance.
Large-scale social conflicts are increasing in large American companies; Amazon, Apple and even the mega audiovisual production factory Hollywood have experienced real wage standoffs with their employees.
The example of the Michigan auto strikes
The best example of this is the particularly popular strike of the UAW unions — translated very bestially into French as United Auto Workers Union – with nearly 75% support from the population.
A union which, through the voice of its president Shawn Fain, puts in place slogans that are regularly found in struggles; increasing wages in line with inflation, shorter working weeks, social protections and employment for workers.
A growing conflict
This conflict between the UAW union and the “Big Three” (GM, Ford and Stellantis) is never-ending. After more than a month of strike and while for many, the momentum was breaking through, the mobilization spread to 44 factories, touching the heart of the Stellantis group. On October 23, the 6,800 workers at the group’s most profitable factory were called to stop work.
The three largest automakers find themselves in an impasse. After decades of wage stagnation, more than 40,000 workers are demanding a 40% increase in their wages over four years, half of which starting this year.
If these slogans work today, it is also because the COVID crisis has had a profound effect on the quality of life of auto workers. Record sales in the post-COVID period have allowed employers to increase handsomely, where workers have received nothing.
Historic advances for American workers
While their struggle continues, workers have already won some fundamental political advances. Not only are the pickets reported by the national press, but they have also succeeded in removing a sitting American president for the first time in history.
Hope seems to be born within the American working class, where unions are emerging and once again becoming real counter-powers.
2023-10-24 20:57:13
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