Labor’s Militant Creativity
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Sept. 19, 2023 | SELECTIVE STRIKES | Many observers have been impressed with UAW President Shawn Fain’s astute strategy of using selective strikes rather than calling all of his members off the job. The strategy has three significant tactical benefits. First, it conserves the strike fund, which would only last about 90 days if all workers were out. This, in turn, lets management know that the union can take a longer strike and increases the UAW’s bargaining leverage. Second, it also allows the union to inflict the most damage for the least cost by taking advantage of supply chain vulnerabilities, as when a key parts supplier or a plant producing popular cars in short supply is shut down… And third, management not knowing which plant will be struck keeps the companies off-balance. As it happens, this original idea is not quite original to the UAW. American Prospect
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