Ocasio-Cortez calls GM cutting striking employees insurance ‘straight barbarism’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday called out General Motors for cutting the health insurance of striking workers, calling the move “straight barbarism.”

“GM workers are asking for a raise during a time of record profits. In response, GM execs cut off their health insurance,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

{mosads}“Yet another reason we insist on #MedicareforAll: so your healthcare won’t be held hostage to negotiate lower wages,” she added.

This is straight barbarism.

GM workers are asking for a raise during a time of record profits. In response, GM execs cut off their health insurance.

Yet another reason we insist on #MedicareforAll: so your healthcare won’t be held hostage to negotiate lower wages. https://t.co/iKGqZ0igv5

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 18, 2019

Ocasio-Cortez linked to an article in the Detroit Free Press confirming the company had stopped paying for workers’ health care amid the strike.

“We understand strikes are difficult and disruptive to families,” GM said in a statement. “While on strike, some benefits shift to being funded by the union’s strike fund, and in this case hourly employees are eligible for union-paid COBRA so their health care benefits can continue.”

GM has reportedly offered a 2 percent wage increase to striking United Auto Workers members the first and third years of their contract and 2 percent lump sum payments the second and fourth years, according to the newspaper, citing sources familiar with the company’s offer.

“Two percent is nothing,” a local union leader who saw the deal told the Free Press. “We have not gained back anything we gave up during the bankruptcy.”