LIVE TRUMP ECONOMY CRUSHING Workers | LIVE With Chicago Auto Workers

UAW Local 551 members, including Jason Wowski and Erica Walker, report that while their 2023 strike secured much-needed wage increases, these gains were quickly absorbed by rampant inflation. The rising costs of gas, food, and other essentials mean workers are barely keeping pace with the economy, rather than getting ahead. Some even feel financially worse off than a decade ago.

Jason Wowski states, 'the raise that we got kind of put us back on track, but it didn't put us above anything. It just kind of almost got us caught up with everything that we lost throughout those years' (02:48). Erica Walker adds, 'I've noticed it seemed like I was kind of doing better financially before the contract. Actually, 10 years ago, I feel like than I am now' (06:41).

Companies, particularly within the 'Big Three' auto manufacturers, are reportedly backing out of commitments to invest in American production and are shutting down plants they promised to support. This corporate behavior is exacerbated by a dysfunctional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which currently lacks enough members to hold a quorum, effectively preventing unions from pursuing legal action or hearings against these breaches of agreement.

Jason Wowski notes, 'some of the big three, they're backing out from their promises to keep products in America and and they're shutting down plants' (03:15). He adds, 'we're down to what two two members of the was it the NLRB, right? ... we can't even hold a quorum. So, they can't even hold um a hearing' (03:41).

Workers express deep frustration over the government's perceived misallocation of resources, particularly spending billions on overseas conflicts while neglecting pressing domestic issues. They highlight the plight of homeless veterans and the lack of support for struggling citizens, arguing that the government operates like a business prioritizing profit (or external interests) over its own citizens' well-being.

The host mentions the government spent 'over 25 billions uh on just the Iran war alone abroad instead of spending that money on helping the people in uh the country' (08:20). Jason Wowski states, 'with all the money that's being spent overseas... we can't even help out our homeless veterans here, it's it's really sick' (16:55).

Tucson Watson advocates for focusing on local political engagement, urging citizens to actively choose and hold accountable mayors, governors, congressmen, and aldermen. This local focus, combined with the collective power of unions, is presented as the most effective way to drive change and ensure elected officials represent the interests of the working class.

Tucson Watson suggests, 'We need to choose our mayors, our governors, our congressmen, our centimes, senators, our aldermen. We need to go out there. We need to pick our own aldermans, senators, and and and everybody in these political position that's in your neighborhood cuz that's where it starts at' (18:27).

Looking ahead to the 2028 contract negotiations, UAW members are committed to a strategy of 'no concessions.' Their primary goals include securing American investment, ensuring job security, and implementing stronger contractual language to protect workers from companies reneging on agreements or from the impacts of technological advancements like AI. They seek to prevent future stagnation and ensure continuous progress for the working class.

Lenny Faria states, 'In 2028 when we're up for a new contract, the number one goal is to get everything and give up nothing' (14:26). Jason Wowski adds, 'We're looking for American investment. We're looking for commitment... We need we need more strength uh language wise in order to be able to to fight them in the legal battle' (30:46).