In the corporate world, Elmo’s word of the day is almost always “innovation.” But despite plastering the idea of change across PowerPoints, the white-collar sector isn’t always quick to break from tradition. Meanwhile, the blue-collar sector is trying to spearhead revamping the future of work.
During the summer of strikes, manufacturing employees have started to take center stage by re-imagining the way we work and pushing for better pay. The United Auto Workers, composed of the Big Three automakers, might be the ones to really move the needle once and for all and actually innovate. They’re petitioning for wage increases, the return of pensions, and a shortened workweek. Looking to change the schedule to 32-hours a week without any pay adjustments, the union is focusing not just on the common refrain of better pay during a very expensive time, but also better working conditions. And they recently found an ally in Vermont senator Bernie Sanders.
