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Aug. 14 (UPI) — President Joe Biden called for a meaningful agreement to be reached between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and major U.S. vehicle manufacturers before their contracts expire in September.
Biden emphasized the importance of a contract that upholds the middle class for UAW members, who work for General Motors, Ford Motor Co., and Chrysler-Stellantis, collectively known as the Big Three automakers.
“With one month remaining before the contract expiration, I urge all parties involved to come together and negotiate a fair agreement,” he stated.
Currently, negotiations are ongoing between the UAW and representatives of the automakers. The head of the UAW, Sean Fain, highlighted that the automakers earned $21 billion in profits in the first half of 2023.
Fain stated earlier this month, “Record profits should result in record contracts.”
As a result, the UAW is seeking a 46% pay increase for workers over a four-year period.
Last week, the UAW directed criticism towards Stellantis, accusing the automaker of failing to honor its promises during negotiations. The union’s demands include improved wages, cost-of-living adjustments, enhanced medical benefits for retirees, and increased paid time off.
The top executives at the Big Three automakers received a 22% raise last year, leading the UAW to assert that workers should expect comparable advancements.
During the 2008-09 recession, the UAW made various concessions to assist struggling automakers, including foregoing cost-of-living pay raises and reducing benefits for new workers.
The UAW’s negotiations with the automakers follow a successful outcome for the Teamsters union, which secured contract agreements for UPS workers guaranteeing an average pay of up to $49 per hour.
