--- title: "Toyota Issues Raises to US Workers as UAW Target Shifts to Non-Union Automakers" description: "Toyota has increased wages at two plants, while UAW President Shawn Fain has indicated non-union brands will be the group's focus next cycle." date: "2023-11-01" modified: "2023-11-01" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-issues-raises-to-us-workers-as-uaw-target-shifts-to-non-union-automakers" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" --- # Toyota Issues Raises to US Workers as UAW Target Shifts to Non-Union Automakers ![]() *\Toyota\* All of the Big Three Detroit automakers [struck historic deals with the United Auto Workers]() (UAW) union, raising pay, providing cost-of-living wages, and improving retirement benefits. However, there won't be similar deals made with other automakers that build cars in the U.S., because their workers are not unionized. After the UAW strike and its subsequent new contracts, [Toyota]() is giving its factory workers raises, which seems like a not-so-subtle way of asking those workers not to organize. The UAW is already discussing the idea of expanding into other automakers in the U.S., namely Tesla. In fact, a story from *[Bloomberg]()* this week citing an individual familiar with the efforts stated that a UAW organizing committee is active in the EV maker's Fremont plant "talking to coworkers about the advantages of collective bargaining." What's more, Toyota, Volkswagen, and other brands could be next. "When we return to the bargaining table in 2028, it won’t just be with a Big Three, but with a Big Five or Big Six," said UAW President Shawn Fain on Sunday. According to pro-union publication [*Labor News*](), Toyota increased wages at its Alabama and Kentucky factories. The new top pay rate at both factories is said to have been raised $2.94 to $34.80 for production employees, and $3.70 to $43.20 for skilled trades. *The Drive* reached out to the company for more information and will update this story should we get more info. Fain made it clear that he and the UAW want to organize non-union labor across the U.S., [calling the recent deal]() with Detroit "a turning point in the class war that's been raging in this country for the past 40 years." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT9XpLEmy9U Toyota hasn't said whether the UAW deal has anything to do with its pay wages. "We value our employees and their contributions, and we show it by offering robust compensation packages that we continually review to ensure that we remain competitive within the automotive industry," said Chris Reynolds, executive vice president of corporate resources for Toyota Motor North America, per *[Axios]()*. Don't be surprised, however, if other automakers in the U.S. increase wages following recent events, such as Honda, Volkswagen, and Tesla. ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()