CBS News
UAW labor deal with Detroit’s Big 3 automakers sees pushback from some workers
Although the United Auto Workers framed its tentative agreement last month with Detroit’s Big 3 automakers as a huge win for labor, a growing number of union members seem to think otherwise.
Rank-and-file GM workers from 11 different UAW chapters have rejected the automaker’s proposal in recent days, according to a vote tracker maintained by the UAW. Members from another three chapters have rejected Ford’s proposed labor contract, while two have voted no on the Stellantis deal.
The flurry of rejections came after UAW members spent six weeks on strike at the companies. It’s typical for large unions to see a few chapters oppose a new contract because labor deals cannot satisfy everyone, labor experts told CBS MoneyWatch. UAW members at Mack Truck rejected the company’s tentative agreement last month and have remained off the job. In 2021, UAW members at John Deere also voted no on a proposed labor deal.
Union leaders said last month they reached an agreement with the Big 3 that increases wages across a four-and-a-half year deal and provides cost of living adjustments. The deals also eliminate the two-tier system at a handful of Big 3 plants, but not all of them. The tentative agreements are making their way across UAW chapters, where members must vote to approve them. So far, most chapters have given the deals a thumbs up.
In general, some opposition to a proposed labor contract indicates that members are engaged and that there’s healthy debate about the offer, said Rebecca Kolins Givan, a labor relations expert and professor at Rutgers.
But what’s happening with the Big 3 is slightly different. Autoworkers who voted no are likely pushing for better retiree health care benefits and a defined benefits pension plan, Givan said.
Autoworkers are also rejecting those the agreements because they still have an issue with the automakers’ two-tier wage system, said Lynne Vincent, a business management professor at Syracuse University.
“The tier system was a concern for union members from the start, and many of them still want tiers to be shed,” Vincent said.
The UAW declined to comment on chapters that have rejected the tentative agreements. UAW President Shawn Fain said during a video address last week that the labor group had squeezed every penny it could out of the automakers.
“What happens next is not up to us — it’s up to you, the membership,” Fain said. “I don’t decide your vote. The executive board doesn’t decide your vote. Your local leadership doesn’t decide your vote. You decide.”
Still, UAW chapters in Flint, Michigan; Marion, Indiana; Spring Hill, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Portland, Oregon; and Tonawanda, New York, are among those that have voted the deals down.
To be clear, the Ford and Stellantis agreements are not at rising of crumbling just yet because only a few chapters have voted no, Givan noted. The GM contract has generated the most opposition but it, too, could pass as is, she said.
However, if a majority of unionized autoworkers decide to reject the Big 3’s proposals, the union could decide to restart the strike or return to the bargaining table and ask for more concessions.
“Voting is still underway, but this is not a clean sweep,” Vincent said. “It also is possible that the contract will be approved at one automaker but not at the other automakers.”
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CBS News
Kamala Harris will speak with “60 Minutes” tomorrow. Here’s what to know for the interview.
Voters will get the chance to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she presents her case for why she should be president in a “60 Minutes” election special.
For decades, “60 Minutes” has featured both Republican and Democratic nominees for presidents, but this year, former President Donald Trump backed out after previously indicating he would be on the show. Correspondent Scott Pelley, who’d been set to interview Trump, will instead travel to Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters and a critical battleground in a key swing state.
One thing is certain about the election; with the U.S. deeply involved in both the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, whoever wins on Nov. 5 will become a wartime president.
What Harris will discuss
Israel’s war started one year ago after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack and correspondent Bill Whitaker will discuss the ongoing war with Harris.
Harris will also discuss the economy, immigration, her record as vice president and the differences between herself and Trump.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz will also appear.
Whitaker joined the Democratic ticket on the campaign trail this week to gain insight into their platform’s priorities and values, and what the candidates believe voters should know.
Why Trump pulled out of the “60 Minutes” interview
Leading up to the candidate hour, Trump, through campaign spokespeople, was the first candidate to accept the “60 Minutes” request to be interviewed for the special, according to CBS News. It had been agreed that both candidates would receive equal time during the broadcast.
Trump last sat down with 60 Minutes in 2020. He walked out during the interview with Lesley Stahl. Trump referenced the incident on Tuesday night at a Milwaukee press conference when asked about his decision not to participate in the Oct. 7 “60 Minutes” election special.
“Well, right now, I went to – they came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want to get an apology, because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the ‘laptop from hell’ was from Russia, and I said it wasn’t from Russia. It was from Hunter, and I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes.’ I do everything.”
The Republican nominee for president emphasized that he felt he was owed an apology from “60 Minutes.”
“Let’s see if they do it. I wouldn’t mind doing 60,” Trump continued. “I’ve done ’60 Minutes’ a lot.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s team had not agreed to an interview.
“Fake News,” Cheung said in a post on X. “60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”
Previous Trump, Harris appearances on 60 Minutes
Trump previously sat down with “60 Minutes'” Mike Wallace in 1985, Pelley in 2015 and Lesley Stahl twice in 2016, first in July of that year and then again in November of 2016. He also spoke with Stahl again in 2018 and 2020.
Harris previously sat down with Whitaker last year. She also was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Evening News” anchor and “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent, in 2020.
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