Striking workers in Mississippi are anticipating an update on negotiations today for the ongoing national auto workers strike.
Strikers have now been picketing for three weeks outside of the General Motors plant in Brandon. The Mississippi members of the United Auto Workers union are joining a nationwide effort to earn back benefits they lost when companies declared bankruptcy years ago.
Charles Washington, who served as strike captain yesterday, has worked for GM as a parts distribution technician for 7 years. He says if an acceptable offer is not made, he and his co-workers plan to strike "as long as it takes."
“Well, we’re hoping for progress on some of the demands the union has placed forward,” he said. “Hopefully we’re much closer… If we haven’t gotten something like what we’re looking for, there will be more going out on strike.”
According to Reuters, a senior Ford executive said the company is "at the limit" of what it can spend on higher wages and benefits for the United Auto Workers, which means those striking at Ford plants may not get the news they want this morning. Even though the strike may continue for several more weeks, Washington says this strike is important because of its influence.
“This here doesn’t just affect us,” he said. “Even some… have gone on strike that aren’t even represented by a union. So it’s definitely affected the working class.