In a significant update on the ongoing labor disputes, UAW (United Auto Workers) President Shawn Fain used a live stream on Facebook this Friday, Oct. 6, to address the union members. Over the previous two Fridays, he had been announcing the expansion of strike locations across facilities of Detroit’s Big Three automakers. However, this Friday’s address came with a twist—Fain did not announce any further expansion of the strike, nor did he confirm a deal with any of the car manufacturers.
Highlighting the reason behind the pause, Fain noted the “significant progress” made in recent days during the contract talks. A crucial breakthrough was General Motors’ (GM) willingness to concede on a pivotal issue. Fain said, “We were about to shut down GM’s biggest moneymaker in Arlington, Texas,” referring to the assembly plant in Arlington that manufactures high-demand SUVs. “GM has now agreed in writing to place their electric battery manufacturing under our master agreement. We were told for months this was impossible.”
This commitment by GM marks a significant victory for the UAW. Amid the shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, securing guarantees has been at the forefront of the union’s negotiations with GM, Stellantis, and Ford. With GM’s new stance, other automakers might face heightened pressure to follow suit. Furthermore, this development bodes well for the Biden administration, which has been ardently promoting the transition to electric vehicles.
Fain emphasized the union’s influence in achieving this milestone, stating, “Because of our power, GM has agreed to lay the foundation for a just transition.”
On Tuesday evening, Ford Motor Co. announced that they had extended an offer to the UAW (United Auto Workers) the previous day, aiming to finalize a tentative agreement for a new master labor contract.
According to Ford’s news release, this proposed agreement, set to last until April 30, 2028, is their “seventh and strongest offer” on pivotal economic matters since Aug. 29.
Ford stated, “Ford has received two comprehensive counteroffers from the UAW, the last on Sept. 25. Ford’s latest offer provides our 57,000 UAW-represented employees with a record contract and a strong future.”
Furthermore, the automaker emphasized the inclusivity of their proposal, asserting that it encompasses “unprecedented improvements in wages (putting employees among the top 25% of all U.S. jobs, hourly and salaried) and benefits, product commitments for every UAW factory and job security.”
The offer proposes a 26% salary hike for temporary workers, alterations in benefits, and a general wage increase of over 20%. However, the UAW is seeking an almost 40% wage boost.
Despite these positive strides, Fain also issued a word of caution: The union could backtrack and escalate the strike—which currently involves 25,000 of the UAW’s nearly 150,000 members across GM, Stellantis, and Ford—if negotiations encounter stumbling blocks. The strikes began at only three of the Big Three’s facilities and later expanded to include 38 GM and Stellantis parts distribution centers, followed by an inclusion of two more GM and Ford plants.
“In three weeks we’ve won raises for temps to $20 an hour at GM and Stellantis and $21 an hour at Ford. All three have made commitments around converting temps but there’s still a lot to be done both on the wages and the conversions,” proclaimed Fain in Friday’s announcement. “Still we’re making big strides that’ll end up changing the lives of thousands of our members.”
The UAW’s strategy is clear: Instead of striking at all Big Three facilities simultaneously, they’re focusing on valuable locations to create more leverage. This targeted approach accelerates the bargaining process and prompts the automakers to heed the UAW’s robust list of demands. It also ensures judicious use of the UAW’s strike fund, which stood at approximately $825 million before the strike’s commencement. This fund is pivotal in supporting members on the picket line during the strike.
To date, 25,000 of UAW’s 146,000 autoworkers were actively participating in the strike. The list of currently striking auto facilities as of Friday, Oct. 6 includes multiple locations under GM, Stellantis, and Ford, with Fain underscoring the union’s commitment by asserting, “We don’t strike for the hell of it. The Big Three know we are not messing around and they know if they want to avoid more strikes, they will have to pony up.”
About Post Author
