UAW Local 677 Fights Mack Trucks' Plan to Move Jobs to Mexico

The Impact of Trade Policies on Mack Truck Workers in Pennsylvania

Allentown, PA – Workers at Mack Trucks' manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania are raising their voices against trade agreements that they say jeopardize their livelihoods. In a newly released video, members of UAW Local 677 express their dismay over Mack Trucks' decision to relocate jobs to a newly planned facility in Monterrey, Mexico, citing unfair labor practices and broken trade promises.

"We’re collateral damage, basically, to someone’s stroke of a pen. And it’s scary to think that that happens in this world today. It really does make you reevaluate what you mean to your employer. Or what you don’t mean to your employer," remarks Nicole DeFuso, a skilled trades apprentice at Mack.

To watch the complete video, click here.

In 2023, Mack Truck employees resorted to striking to advocate for a favorable agreement with the renowned truck maker. Despite initial assurances of Pennsylvania investments, Mack Trucks has commenced construction of a new plant in Mexico, where labor costs are significantly lower than in the U.S., with wages expected to be less than $4 an hour.

The UAW has responded by filing Unfair Labor Practice charges, alleging that Mack has engaged in bad faith negotiations. The company’s move to Mexico is attributed to the effects of trade policies like NAFTA and the USMCA, which are criticized for encouraging companies to pursue cheaper labor overseas.

These policies, supported by both major political parties, have facilitated a corporate trend of seeking lower wages and diminished labor protections, leaving U.S. workers vulnerable. The decision threatens well-paying union jobs and economic stability in the region, described as “a slap in the face” to dedicated employees.

"The products are being sold for the same amount if not more. But that’s all going into the pockets of the corporations," says Michael Shupp, a Local 677 member.

The video showcases firsthand accounts from UAW Local 677 members expressing concerns over job security and the decline of domestic manufacturing. It highlights the failure of bipartisan trade policies to protect American labor, contributing to a "race to the bottom" in wages, with companies like Mack exploiting cheaper foreign labor at the expense of U.S. jobs.

The union is vocally advocating for the renegotiation of the USMCA, acknowledging the detrimental impact of "free trade" over several decades. It has encouraged utilizing tariffs to counteract unfair trade agreements and demands that corporations reinvest in America to support local workers.

"I remember when I was a kid, my dad would talk about NAFTA. Now you read up on this stuff and you see how much destruction that certain things can have," reflects DeFuso.

"We need to have laws that are going to support us and not have to be worried about potentially losing our jobs," states Dan Hand, Committeeperson with Local 677.

As corporations increase prices or undermine their workforce to escape paying fair wages, UAW argues that they should face consequences. The union stresses that the working class, having borne the brunt of policies such as NAFTA, should not be penalized further.

The UAW is in ongoing discussions with the Trump Administration concerning future trade strategies, including auto tariffs expected in April, aimed at benefiting the working class. It calls for substantial measures to incentivize companies to change their practices, reinvest domestically, and uphold the interests of American workers.

Voices from the Video

The video captures sentiments from workers about the adverse effects of trade policies not favoring them for many years. As Mack breaks ground in Monterrey, Mexico, workers reflect on being "collateral damage" to corporate decisions aimed at cost-cutting. With Mexican wages expected to be as low as $3 to $4 an hour, there is growing apprehension about local plant longevity and the future of American manufacturing jobs.

DeFuso remembers learning about NAFTA's negative impacts from a young age, and now sees its repercussions firsthand. Hand emphasizes the need for supportive legislation to prevent job insecurity, while other workers express concern over the increasing divide between corporate profits and worker welfare.

Workers are united in their resolve to protect quality manufacturing jobs in the Lehigh Valley, highlighting the broader struggle for fair trade that prioritizes American labor.