Hey, gear up for some breaking news! The crew over at Mack Trucks, which is cozied up under the big umbrella of Volvo, are saying a big “No thanks!” to a new five-year contract. And guess what they’re planning for Monday? Yep, they’re hitting the picket lines,
Seems like a whopping 73% of the workers – we’re talking thousands from places like Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maryland – gave a thumbs down to the deal. Bright and early, 7 a.m. on Monday, they’ll be out there, making their voices heard.
You know, it’s been a wild year for workers. From cars to ships to hospitals, unions have been shaking things up, playing hardball with the big bosses. And the best part? A lot of folks out there are cheering them on.
Remember those workers from FedEx and the rail industry? They too put their foot down, saying “no deal!” till things eventually worked out. Speaking of standing firm, some UAW workers have been at it since mid-September, striking against big names like GM, Ford, and Chrysler’s parent, Stellantis.
But back to Mack. They dangled a pretty sweet offer: 19% more in pay, a nice $3,500 bonus, some vacation days, and quicker promotions. Still, the workers said, “We want more!” And who can blame them?
UAW’s bigwig, Shawn Fain, is stoked about their spirit. He said something like, “Way to go, Mack workers! Stand your ground!” But on the other side, Stephen Roy from Mack was a bit, well, miffed. He thought they had a deal and called the strike a bit over the top.
Little history nugget for ya: Volvo snatched up Mack back in 2000. And Mack’s got some bragging rights. They’re one of the big dogs in North America when it comes to trucks. And get this, they’re all about the red, white, and blue, making their trucks and engines right here in the good ol’ U.S.
For now, it’s a bit of a standoff. UAW’s ready to go back to the table with Mack, and Mack? They’re holding out hope for a handshake.
And just a tidbit before I wrap up: Ford’s thinking of bumping up wages by 23% by early 2028. Add that to other perks, and workers might be looking at a 30% raise. Meanwhile, over at Kaiser Permanente, health care workers just did a three-day strike. Whew! It’s a busy time for workers everywhere!
Alright, that’s the scoop for now! Stay tuned for more twists and turns on this road. And, oh yeah, some tech magic and human touch made this story pop. For the deep dive details, check out those T&Cs. Catch you on the flip side! 🚛🚫📣
