Auto Industry Strike: UAW and Big Three Fail to Agree on Terms

After weeks of speculation over whether the UAW and Big Three automakers would come to an agreement, we have our answer: They didn’t. Last night, the Union launched a strike against Ford, GM, and Chrysler/Stellantis, taking almost 13,000 workers off production lines and factory floors across the country.

This is the first time in the UAW’s 88 years that it has taken on all three automakers at once, but Union officials have a unique plan to drive action. UAW President Shawn Fain said the Union would expand the strike in intervals to put more pressure on the auto giants, with plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri being the first to stop work.

The stoppage will put significant and immediate pressure on the production of popular models from all three companies and could drive retail prices up if an agreement can’t be reached soon. However, it also puts pressure on the workers, who will only receive a $500 payment from the Union if the strike extends past eight days. 

Union demands include a 36 percent wage increase over four years, including an 18 percent raise immediately and annual increases for the next three. The Union also wants a four-day workweek, more paid time off, fewer temp workers, and better pension benefits. They also asked for expanded protections for workers for strikes and other issues. 

As these things tend to go, early statements from both sides sound defiant. All three automakers stated that they were “disappointed” that the Union wouldn’t bend more to negotiations. Union members and officials say workers should be paid a fair wage and not held back in temporary positions lacking benefits. 

While an agreement is best for everyone, UAW officials have plenty more pain they can inflict. Ford alone has over 57,000 Union works, and the other two have around 90,000 more. The 13,000 people currently on strike could grow significantly before the two sides put ink to paper, but let’s hope it doesn’t get that far.  

[Image: Linda Parton via Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/auto-industry-strike-uaw-and-big-three-fail-to-agree-on-terms-44502817?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full