If the American automobile workers win the major strike, will the "four-day workweek" become mainstream in the United States?

Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis have seen nearly 13,000 UAW (United Auto Workers) workers go on strike.

The UAW is not only demanding a 36% pay increase, improved job security, and increased retirement benefits, but also a 32-hour workweek, known as the "four-day workweek."

Experts say that if the UAW succeeds in implementing the four-day workweek, it could have a significant impact on the broader movement for shorter workweeks.

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, director of Four Day Week Global, stated that the four-day workweek is still in its early stages of adoption. He believes that a victory for the UAW in their demand for a four-day workweek "will help transform it from a bold experiment into a mainstream desire for every worker and employer."

He said:

"People will see the implementation of a four-day workweek and say, if car factories can do it, then it can definitely be done in my factory or my business."

He added that even if the automotive workers are not successful this time, the demand for a shorter workweek will still "change the game" and could be brought up in the next round of labor negotiations, extending beyond the UAW and the "Big Three" automakers.

Cathy Creighton from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations stated that a victory for the UAW in their demand for a 32-hour workweek would have a "huge ripple effect."

Creighton believes that this demand is a sign of the ongoing impact of the pandemic. While the traditional five-day office workweek seems to be a thing of the past, "employees and employers have fundamentally changed their views on work-life balance."

She pointed out that many factory workers may not have the option to work remotely, but they can demand a reduction in physical labor hours per week. She noted that historically, the UAW has been one of the earliest unions to fight for health benefits, vacations, and pensions for its members.

Creighton said:

"I think the labor movement has been cautious for a long time, and now they're not."

She believes that the UAW's demand for a 32-hour workweek is a prime example of this change.

"The five-day workweek is so deeply ingrained in our psyche that any change feels seismic."

Some studies indicate that people are ready for this change. In August, a survey conducted by academic researchers on employee attitudes showed that nearly 60% of those who currently work a five-day workweek prefer a four-day workweek with longer daily hours.

In a livestream update to members a few days before the strike, UAW President Shawn Fain said:

"We all know that living in the factory seven days a week, 12 hours a day is not a life. We need true work-life balance. Auto workers should have a life of their own."

A female spokesperson from Stellantis stated that switching to a 32-hour workweek with a 40-hour wage, on top of the UAW's demand for a pay increase, would be a significant labor cost. **She said that this will require hiring at least 25% more workers to maintain the current production plan.

The company stated in a statement:

"We are very disappointed with the UAW leadership's refusal to reach a fair agreement in a responsible manner, which is in the best interest of our employees, their families, and our customers."

General Motors expressed disappointment with the actions of the UAW leadership, despite offering an unprecedented compensation package, including historic wage increases and other commitments.

Creighton said:

"This is a big move by Sean Fein. We'll have to wait and see the results."

Soojung-Kim Pang stated:

"Even if they (the union) didn't achieve the four-day workweek this time, there will be other initiatives in the future."