Michigan Union Members Attribute Biden’s Electric-Vehicle Mandates for Auto-Industry Layoffs
Electric-Vehicle Mandates Under Fire
ANN ARBOR, Mich – Michigan, a state synonymous with the auto industry, witnesses a round of painful layoffs in its prominent sector. Auto industry workers specifically point the finger at the Biden-Harris administration’s aggressive mandates for electric vehicles as the cause of the unemployment surge. Stellantis, the producer of Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge, announced last month that 2,450 workers from its Warren plant will be let go.
As per several workers in the auto industry, the forceful transition to electric vehicles is wreaking havoc within the sector. Isaiah Gordon, an employee at Ford’s Rawsonville plant, highlighted that the shift towards electric vehicles is resulting in layoffs across the industry.
Impact on Labour
Chris Vitale, a member of the United Auto Workers and a mechanic for Chrysler concurred with Gordon. He stated that electric vehicles require considerably less labour to manufacture when compared to traditional gas-powered counterparts. “Putting an electric motor together is like building a pinwheel or a paper airplane, there’s some level of work that’s involved with it, but the skill level really isn’t there,” Vitale stated.
Political Criticism
Reflecting the sentiments of autoworkers, Representative Lisa McClain criticized these mandates, stating that the government is forcing consumers to buy electric vehicles which is leading to layoffs as there is insufficient demand. She placed the blame on the strict emission standards enforced by the Biden-Harris administration which, according to her, was forcing the industry towards electric vehicles while neglecting consumer demand.
Layoffs Linked to Emission Standards
Vitale also expressed concern over the stringent emission standards, stating that even hybrids were falling short. According to him, the newly implemented Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines put immense pressure on the auto industry to manufacture more EVs while neglecting the consumer demand. He questions the feasibility of these standards given that even hybrid vehicles struggle to meet them.
Companies Struggling
Meanwhile, as these mandates take effect, major American companies are struggling to sell their increasingly electric-focused inventory. Vitale stated, “It’s getting to the point that they’re leasing additional properties and parking them elsewhere.”
Political Divide Within the Union
However, despite the workers’ backlash against these mandates, the Democratic union leadership continues its support for the administration. There is a distinct political divide between many UAW members who are directly impacted by the mandates and the union’s leadership that supports the Democratic Party.
