In a narrative reminiscent of a classic labor movement, the United Auto Workers (UAW) are flexing their muscles fresh from victory. After clinching significant wage increases and benefits from Detroit’s automotive titans—Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—the union is not resting on its laurels. Instead, it’s revving up to engage with a new challenger: Elon Musk’s Tesla.

Here’s the rundown: Auto workers at the Detroit Three are poised to see an 11% wage boost immediately after new contracts are ratified, with the rest of the promised 25% increases and bonuses spreading over a four-and-a-half-year term. But with the ink barely dry, the UAW is already looking to drive further into the industry.

The latest scoop, per Bloomberg, indicates a UAW organizing committee is sparking up conversations with workers at Tesla’s Fremont plant, which houses some 20,000 employees. The aim? To illuminate the potential perks of collective bargaining. With the UAW purportedly ready to back such a campaign financially, the undercurrents of change are palpable.

Shawn Fain, UAW’s President, has hailed this moment as a watershed for the American working class. The union’s ambitions don’t just stop with Tesla—Fain’s sights are set on unionizing workers across non-unionized automakers, potentially reshaping the landscape into a “Big Five” or “Big Six” by the time 2028 negotiations roll around.

As for Tesla’s stance, the electric vehicle giant and its CEO have long held a clear anti-union line. Musk’s candid criticism on social media and Tesla’s rebuttal of allegations related to firing pro-union employees have painted a stark anti-union picture. Notably, a Federal appeals court ruled against Tesla for unlawfully terminating an employee involved in union efforts, highlighting the tension between Musk’s empire and organized labor.

What could unfold from here? Gene Munster of Deepwater Management has weighed in, suggesting that the UAW is quickly moving to leverage its recent triumphs. However, he speculates Tesla employees may ultimately reject unionization in favor of direct wage hikes from the company, projecting a possible 20% increase as a counteroffer to the UAW’s advances.

Investors and workers alike are watching closely as this drama unfolds, with Tesla’s shares already showing sensitivity to the whispers of unionization. The power play between labor unions and corporate America is nothing new, but as the automotive industry hurtles toward an electrified future, the stakes for both workers’ rights and corporate profitability are as high as ever.

As the UAW’s engines are now running hot, the race is on. Will Tesla join the fold, or will Musk’s non-union stance hold the line? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—the outcome of this battle will have reverberations beyond the factory floor, potentially altering the trajectory of the entire automotive sector. Buckle up, it’s going to be a gripping ride.