Quebec News Tribune: Marick Masters on future of automotive employment numbers
The U.S. automobile industry is the foundation of American manufacturing, employing nearly 390,000 employees among automakers and another 539,000 employees in the supply chain. However, electric vehicles increase the likelihood of job loss for assembly workers and the automotive supply chain. Electric vehicles generally require fewer components, which means they require fewer people to make parts and assemble vehicles. In addition, fewer jobs in electric vehicles may be union jobs, which tend to provide workers with better salaries and benefits. Rivian and Tesla have no unions, nor do many companies in the electric vehicle supply chain. “When you see the fact that you need fewer people, … and the supply chain involves more non-union employers, you may suffer a lot of unemployment.” Marick Masters, professor of business at Wayne State University said.
