How a United Auto Workers strike could impact South Carolina
Protesters came out in force on Tuesday in protest against the Big Three automakers. This is the fifth day of a strike by auto workers against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. As the strikes continue, vehicle owners in the north of the state are carefully monitoring the situation, and area mechanics are speaking out. If the strikes continue, “it may take a little longer depending on which part gets patched,” Tanner Buchanan said. Buchanan is a machinist foreman at Buchanan & Sons. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Chrysler, are among the country’s most prolific automakers. General Motors sells more than 17 percent of American cars. This could affect millions of car owners. “I’m worried, I’m really worried,” Levante Davis said. Davis will buy a new car next week. “I’m a little uncomfortable. It’s not something I like to think about,” said Matthew Aiello, who said he needed his car fixed. The strikes come after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our supply chain, resulting in low inventory at area parts stores,” Buchanan said. It is difficult for dealers if they cannot get a steady supply of new vehicles. It could also hit mechanics and car owners hard, Buchanan said. “It’s hard to get a customer’s car back. It’s hard for us to get paid. We need those parts on our hands at all times as fast as we can get them,” he said. “I think it’s going to happen, parts are going to go up, labor, everything is going to go up, and it’s going to affect us one way or another,” Davis continued. The length of time will depend on how long the strikes last and how many factories join them. We have reached out to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. “We do not believe South Carolina automakers will be negatively impacted but will monitor the possibility that a strike could disrupt the supply chain,” they said.
Protesters came out in force on Tuesday in protest against the Big Three automakers.
This is the fifth day of a strike by auto workers against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.
As the strikes continue, vehicle owners in the north of the state are carefully monitoring the situation, and area mechanics are speaking out.
If the strikes continue, “it may take a little longer depending on which part gets patched,” Tanner Buchanan said. Buchanan is a machinist foreman at Buchanan & Sons.
Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Chrysler, are among the country’s most prolific automakers. General Motors sells more than 17 percent of American cars. This could affect millions of car owners.
“I’m worried, I’m really worried,” Levante Davis said. Davis will buy a new car next week.
“I’m a little uncomfortable. It’s something I don’t like to think about,” said Matthew Aiello, who said he needed his car fixed.
The strikes come after the COVID-19 pandemic created a downturn in our supply chain, resulting in low inventory at area parts stores, Buchanan said.
It is difficult for dealers if they cannot get a steady supply of new vehicles. It can hit mechanics and car owners hard, Buchanan said.
“It’s hard to get a customer’s car back. It’s hard for us to get paid. We need those parts on our hands at all times as fast as we can get them,” he said.
“I think it’s going to happen, parts are going to go up, labor, everything, and it’s going to affect us one way or another,” Davis continued.
The ripple effects could affect the Upstate long after an agreement is reached, but how and when will depend on how long the strikes last and how many factories join them.
We have reached out to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. “We do not believe South Carolina automakers will be negatively impacted but will monitor the possibility that a strike could disrupt the supply chain,” they said.
(Tags for translation)Buchanan & Sons
