The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) revealed on April 17 that over 2,900 UAW workers have gone on strike at Volvo Truck’s New River Valley (NRV) truck plant in Dublin, Va. According to UAW’s statement, the UAW members, who voted 96.8% in favor of striking if a deal was not reached by March 15, want a new agreement that protects their families through job security and adequate wages and benefits, as well as their health and safety.
“The UAW is disappointed that Volvo Truck has failed to present a substantial offer by the March 16 contract deadline despite a contract extension,” said Ray Curry, UAW secretary-treasurer and director of the UAW heavy truck department. “Our goal remains to achieve a fair tentative agreement for our members, their families and the community of Dublin.”
According to Curry, the members of UAW Local 2069 are committed to achieving a contract that is best for their families and the company.
“All of the UAW membership appreciates the sacrifice and picket line solidarity of our members at Volvo Truck,” said Curry. “It is not easy to strike on workers, their families or the community and we appreciate public support in Dublin for our skilled Volvo Truck workers and their families.”
Volvo’s reaction to the strike was also that of surprise and disappointment.
“Progress was being made, and we had offered substantial increases in our employees’ compensation,” said Franky Marchand, NRV vice president and general manager. “We don’t understand why the UAW won’t allow our employees to continue building trucks while we continue negotiations.”
Mack Trucks, also owned by Sweden-based Volvo AG, dealt with its own UAW worker strike in Oct. 2019. That lasted for about two weeks.
According to Volvo, the NRV plant employs more than 3,300 people, about 2,900 of whom are UAW members. The plant is in the midst of receiving $400 million in advanced technology upgrades and site expansion to prepare for future products, including the Volvo VNR Electric truck, which is slated for the serial production launch this spring.
On April 16, Volvo revealed that they will deliver 14 VNR Electric trucks to food logistics supplier Quality Custom Distribution over the next two years, totaling 15 by the end of 2022.
“Every day our UAW members leave their homes proud of the work they do at Volvo making some of the finest trucks in the world,” said Mitchell Smith, director of UAW Region 8. “Our members and their families made this sacrifice in order to get a fair contract offer that protects their wages, benefits and health and safety.”
The UAW has proposed a future bargaining date of April 26.
“We are committed to the collective bargaining process and look forward to getting back to the table,” said Marchand. “We are confident that we will be able to arrive at an agreement that provides a competitive wage and benefit package for our employees and families, and helps to ensure the plant’s competitiveness, long-term growth and sustainability.”
This article is shared with you courtesy of FleetOwner, an IndustryWeek sister publication at Endeavor Business Media.
Walmart, Inc., announced April 19 that it would make an investment of an unspecified amount in General Motor Co.’s autonomous-vehicle brand Cruise. In a statement, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said his company was “impressed” by the brand’s all-electric technology and differentiated business model after a pilot program in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“As delivery has become a staple in our customers’ lives, we’re focused on growing our last mile ecosystem in a way that’s beneficial for everyone,” said Furner, and said Cruise would help Walmart achieve its corporate goal of reaching zero emissions by 2040.
Walmart is not the only latest retailer lately to invest in an all-electric delivery vehicle brand. Amazon, the second-largest private employer in the United States behind Walmart, has invested in and agreed to purchase 100,000 electric delivery trucks from Rivian, a startup founded in 2009. USPS has invested in the U.K.-based EV firm Arrival. And in January, General Motors launched a new all-electric brand, Brightdrop, specifically dedicated to delivery vehicles and products powered by GM’s proprietary Ultium battery platform, and said it was partnering with FedEx for a trial program.
But Walmart’s push isn’t just for electric vehicles, but also for self-driving ones. Cruise does use battery-electric vehicles, but as a business it is oriented strongly towards developing autonomous-vehicle technology. Walmart, which also launched a pilot autonomous delivery service with self-driving car company Gatik, will join Microsoft and Honda as notable investors in the Cruise business.
“This investment … shows our commitment to bringing the benefit of self-driving cars to our customers and business,” said Furner. “We’re excited to join Cruise’s already impressive partner and investor ecosystem with the likes of GM, Honda and Microsoft as we work toward pioneering this emerging technology.”
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