UAW strike growing as more auto workers join union's walkouts

the restoration of traditional defined-benefit pensions for new hires who now receive only 401(k)-style retirement plans

That’s interesting.

I am not sure how it is in the US, but a defined benefit here in Japan was basically like cash in the bank, doing nothing.

Getting it invested in a defined contribution scheme (and invested in stocks and foreign bonds) seems a better proposition. But maybe circumstances differ over there?