Ford Motor Co and Chrysler parent Stellantis released statements on Wednesday evening, stating that the UAW had not responded to offers they presented on Tuesday. This occurred before Fain criticized them on his broadcast. Ford CEO Jim Farley mentioned that the company had provided four increasingly generous offers since Aug. 29, but had not received any genuine counteroffers.
Farley, speaking at the Detroit auto show, later mentioned that Fain was not present during his meeting with Executive Chair Bill Ford and the union’s bargainers.
“There’s still time left,” said Farley. “We won’t know if there’s room for negotiation unless we receive feedback. We cannot understand why we are not receiving feedback to reach a deal and shape the future.”
Farley rhetorically asked if the UAW was negotiating in bad faith and highlighted the importance of a well-considered, genuine counteroffer.
General Motors also stated that they had made multiple strong offers.
“We believe we are making progress in key areas that are crucial for our team members,” stated GM. “This includes historic guaranteed annual wage increases, investments in our U.S. manufacturing plants to provide opportunities for everyone, and reducing the time for new employees to reach maximum wages.”
Fain, on his livestream, provided details about the automakers’ recent proposals. The proposed wage increases include 20 percent from Ford, 18 percent from General Motors, and 17.5 percent from Stellantis. All three companies aim to halve the time it takes for new hires to earn top wages, reducing it from eight years to four years.
According to the union, the companies have different stances on the issue of temporary workers. Fain stated that Ford is offering to convert all current temps with 90 days of continuous service into full-time status. He mentioned that GM’s offer lacks adequate benefits, profit-sharing, and significant wage increases, while Stellantis has a similar offer to GM but provides no path to full-time status.
Regarding cost-of-living adjustments, the union mentioned that Ford is willing to restore an old COLA formula, but it offers wage protection of less than $1 over the next four and a half years. GM and Stellantis, on the other hand, offer a formula that provides no wage protection throughout the duration of the next contract.
Fain further stated that the profit-sharing formulas offered by the companies are less generous than the current ones.
All three companies continue to reject the union’s job security, work-life balance, and retiree priorities. The job security priorities include reinstating a jobs bank that ensures worker payment during layoffs, while the work-life balance proposal calls for a four-day work week at full pay.
“We are making progress at each negotiating table, but our key priorities remain far apart,” said Fain. “The offers on the table do not reflect the sacrifices and contributions our members have made for these companies.”
Fain’s livestream carried grandiose language, quoting Scripture and famed former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, to rally members for what he dubbed “our righteous fight.”
He stated that the Detroit 3 companies could double worker wages and still maintain profitability. Fain accused the companies and corporate media of trying to scare workers into believing that they are the problem.
He framed the push for a better labor contract as a battle between the working class and the wealthy.
“This is our defining moment, and it’s time for us to take action,” he declared.
“Making bold demands and organizing to fight for them is an act of faith,” he continued. “These corporations are like mountains. But together, we can make those mountains move.”
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