UAW Responds to EPA's New Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rule

TL/DR -

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union supports efforts to create a cleaner domestic auto industry and is leading the fight for a fair transition to electric vehicles (EVs) that benefits both the environment and workers. The UAW asserts that the transition to EVs should not be used as an excuse for job cuts and should come with strong labor standards, including the right to organize and the requirement for employers to meet or exceed industry standards. It also calls for the Biden Administration to ensure this transition should support quality union jobs for American workers, protect these jobs from offshoring and low wages, and includes tariff protections for the nascent EV industry.


A Call for Cleaner Domestic Auto Industry and Just Transition to Electric Vehicles

The United Automobile Workers (UAW) is strongly committed to environmental protection and supports the progression towards a cleaner domestic auto industry. It acknowledges the climate crisis impact on working people, affected by corporate decisions prioritizing profits over a clean environment and fair economy. UAW leads the fight for a just transition to electric vehicles (EVs) that should benefit both workers and the environment.

Notably, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made significant progress on its final greenhouse gas emissions rule for light-duty vehicles. This rule, addressing workers' and communities' concerns, provides a feasible path for automakers to implement an array of automotive technologies to reduce emissions. It does not require automakers like Ford, General Motors, or Stellantis to act beyond their commitments made to shareholders regarding the thriving EV market. UAW rejects the notion that addressing the climate crisis will cost union jobs and calls on the Biden Administration to ensure automakers' accountability.

Critically, the EV transition is seen by corporations as an opportunity for increased profits, job quality reduction, and workers' neglect. Achieving our climate goals necessitates substantial public investments, with government subsidies directed towards creating quality union jobs, strong labor standards, protection of workers’ organization rights, and community investments affected by the transition.

This transition period requires a comprehensive government approach to ensure the next vehicle generation is made in the United States, supporting quality union jobs. All policies, from trade to environmental regulations, should aim at a just transition for autoworkers. The transition to cleaner technologies should not intensify offshoring and low wages. The emerging EV industry needs tariff protections to prevent being flooded with imports.

UAW members are actively contributing by fighting for and winning important provisions through bargaining and organizing at new EV and battery plants nationwide. Over 4,000 workers at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tenn., recently announced they are filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for a vote to join the UAW. Policymakers' support is essential in these efforts.

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