UAW Members at PA BMW Center Authorize Strike if Needed
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
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- Workers at BMW’s Regional Distribution Center in Nazareth, PA, have voted to authorize a potential strike due to stagnant wages and rising living costs.
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- Many workers have not seen a pay increase in over a decade, with most earning less than $22 per hour, which is below the estimated living cost in the region.
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- Despite BMW amassing $50 billion since 2021 and spending billions in stock buybacks, the workers have not seen their pay rise in line with the company's profits.
Nazareth, PA BMW Workers Authorize Strike over Pay Disputes
Nazareth, PA - On Saturday, June 8, BMW's Regional Distribution Center workers in Nazareth voted overwhelmingly (99%) to authorize a strike should it become necessary. The vote comes ahead of their contract, covering warehouse workers, expiring on June 30.
The main motivation for this potential strike is stagnant wages and demands for concessions. Workers have seen no significant pay increase for over a decade, with most earning less than $22 per hour. This is below the estimated cost for a family to live in the region. This situation occurs against the backdrop of rising living costs, and huge profits and shareholder payouts by BMW.
“We’re part of the reason BMW’s profits have soared, yet workers in Nazareth have not benefited from pay rise. We’re falling behind,” declared Zach Haas, bargaining unit chair. “We’re united and ready to join the stand-up movement if needed to secure our fair share.”
With over $50 billion amassed since 2021, over 20% of which generated in the US, BMW has fueled discontent among its workers. The automaker has spent more than $3 billion in stock buybacks in the past two years and plans to reward Wall Street shareholders with another $1 billion. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse received a whopping $9.6 million in compensation last year.
The Nazareth BMW workers are following in the footsteps of other United Auto Workers (UAW) members rising against corporate greed. Thousands of UAW members, including Daimler Truck auto workers, the Big Three automakers, and Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, have won record contracts in the past year.
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