The United Auto Workers announced on Friday that they will be expanding their strike at Ford and General Motors to include an additional 7,000 workers. This brings the total number of strikers at the “Big Three” automakers to 25,000.
UAW President Shawn Fain addressed members in a Facebook Live broadcast, stating that the union had made progress in discussions with Stellantis. As a result, they will not be calling for additional workers at Stellantis to walk out at this time. Stellantis is the parent company of the Dodge and Jeep brands.
However, Fain noted that negotiations had been less promising with Ford and GM.
“Sadly, despite our willingness to bargain, Ford and GM have refused to make meaningful progress,” Fain said.
Fain announced that workers at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant in Illinois and GM’s Lansing Delta Assembly facility in Michigan would walk out at noon on Friday, impacting SUV production at both companies. The Chicago facility produces the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Navigator, while the Lansing Delta facility produces the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave.
The UAW initiated their historic strike two weeks ago, marking the first time the union called for a concurrent work stoppage at all of the Big Three. However, rather than striking at every unionized facility simultaneously, the union has opted for targeted walkouts with the possibility of escalation.
Last week, the strike was expanded at GM and Stellantis parts distribution centers, citing progress at Ford.
Fain emphasized that talks have not completely broken down and expressed confidence in securing deals at all three companies.
Ford issued a brief statement on Thursday night stating that talks with union leadership are ongoing.
As previously reported, workers anticipate significant gains in new four-year contracts after making substantial concessions in previous deals.
The UAW is pushing for substantial double-digit raises, the restoration of cost-of-living increases, improved profit-sharing formulas, and protections against plant closures, among other demands. The union also seeks to eliminate the “two-tier” pay system, where longer-term employees have a higher pay scale than newer workers.
The auto companies argue that granting all of the union’s proposals would eliminate their profits and hinder their transition to electric-vehicle production. The Big Three’s profits have increased by 92% between 2013 and 2022, totaling $250 billion, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
The union contends that “record profits” necessitate “record contracts” at the companies, a sentiment echoed by President Joe Biden during his visit to a GM picket line in Wayne, Michigan, on Tuesday—an unprecedented show of support for striking workers by a sitting president.
Fain credited the members for making the president’s visit possible.
“The most powerful man in the world showed up for one reason only: because our solidarity is the most powerful force in the world,” Fain said. “When we stand together united…there’s nothing we can’t do.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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