The United Auto Workers (UAW) union, one of the largest in the US, is planning a series of strikes against three of the largest US automakers on Friday (Sept. 15) if the two sides are unable to reach a deal.
The proposed strike at General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis would be the first-ever simultaneous walkout against all three companies. The union is planning a series of targeted walkouts at individual plants, which could broadly halt production by preventing other factories from receiving essential materials, and has not ruled out a general strike.
The unprecedented scope of a full strike against the so-called “big three” would have an immediate impact on the regional midwestern economy, with a 10-day strike estimated to cost over $5 billion. If the strike continues, each automaker could lose as much as $500 million a week in earnings.
Eleventh-hour negotiations affecting about 146,000 workers were still taking place Thursday (Sept. 14) afternoon at UAW headquarters in Detroit, according to a Reuters report, less than 12 hours before the walkouts were set to begin.
The main sticking point between the two sides appeared to be wage increases. Representatives for the automakers offered 20% raises over the next four and a half years, half of the 40% wage increase the union is demanding. UAW president Shawn Fain said the companies had also rejected the union’s proposal for expanded pension benefits, an end to temporary workers, and a 32-hour work week.
President Biden has expressed his support for a fair deal between sides, remarking that “the UAW helped create the American middle class and…deserves a contract that sustains the middle class.”
Quotable: A blunt speech from UAW head Shawn Fain
“Living paycheck to paycheck, scraping to get by? That’s hell. Choosing between medicine and rent is hell. Working seven days a week for twelve hours a day for months on end is hell. Having your plant close down and your family scattered across the country is hell. Being made to work during a pandemic and not knowing whether you might get sick and die or spread the disease to your family is hell.” — UAW president Shawn Fain Follow Google News
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