How Electric Vehicles Could Affect the UAW’s Future

Since the United Auto Workers (UAW) began striking against the Big Three car companies in September, the union has expanded its action to two more plants as workers continue to fight for better contracts. This video explains one of their central concerns: the expansion of automakers into the electric vehicle (EV) market. While members of the union are worried about their wages in an EV-driven future, American car companies fear that increased labor costs could make them uncompetitive with foreign and domestic rivals. 

Questions:

1. Why is the UAW so concerned about automakers’ upcoming expansion into the electric vehicle market?
2. Do you think automakers should work together with battery companies to ensure their workforces are unionized? Why or why not?