‘Rip it up’: The UAW lays out Top 3 USMCA demands

A local Unifor leader is reacting to CUSMA proposals from the United Auto Workers Union. CTV Windsor’s Michelle Maluske has the details.

The United Auto Workers Union (UAW) laid out its top three USMCA demands on Thursday.

The UAW focused much of a 45-minute briefing on job losses to Mexico, with very few references to Canada.

“It’s time we rip it up and start over,” President Shawn Fain said, wearing a “Kill NAFTA” t-shirt.

“These free trade agreements have made, NAFTA in particular, has made these corporations extremely, extremely profitable, by exploiting communities, wrecking communities, exploiting workers, and driving a race to the bottom.”

The UAW has three “demands” for the upcoming renegotiation of USMCA/CUSMA:

• Build here to send here
• Real labour rights
• Strong standards on pay

The UAW accuses automakers of skirting wage provisions in USMCA, geared primarily for Mexican workers, by paying the import tariff instead.

They also want domestic content requirements which would force automakers to build in the U.S. in order to sell there.

According to UAW formal talks start the week of May 25, with Reuters reporting those talks will begin in Mexico City between the U.S. and Mexico.

Canada is reportedly excluded from the first talks.