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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe head of the United Auto Workers warned Wednesday that the union plans to go on strike against any Detroit automaker that hasn’t reached a new agreement by the time contracts expire next week.
“That’s the plan,” President Shawn Fain responded when asked if the union would strike any of the companies that haven’t reached a tentative deal by the time their national contracts end.
A strike against all three major automakers—General Motors, Stellantis and Ford—could cause damage not only to the industry as a whole but also to the Midwest economy, and could lead eventually to higher vehicle prices.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Fain left open the possibility of avoiding a strike. He acknowledged that the union will have to give up some of its demands to reach agreements. Contracts with the three companies will all expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.
In the interview, Fain did report some progress in the negotiations, saying the union will meet Thursday with GM to hear the company’s response to the UAW’s economic demands. In addition, discussions are under way with Ford on wages and benefits. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, has yet to make a counteroffer on wage and benefit demands, he said.
The union’s demands include 46% pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions.
While saying a strike by up to 146,000 members against all three major automakers is a real possibility, Fain said the union doesn’t want to strike and would prefer to to reach new contracts with them.
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“The union’s demands include 46% pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions.”
How does this help anyone? Pay me more, so I can work less. I say get rid of all of them and hire back those that want to work. Labor laws protect employees more than they did in the past.
Car prices are going to skyrocket with these “demands”
David G.
+ 1
Agreed completely with your sentiment.
Unfortunately this Administration and their Labor Department are squarely in
the pockets of the unions.
So they want a 46% pay raise PLUS work 8 fewer hours for the same pay as a 40-hour week. Doesn’t that amount to another 20% “pay raise”? As noted earlier, car prices are going to skyrocket at a time where many are already priced out of the market. Uggh.
And who’s going to pay for the traditional pensions? They died years ago due to mismanagement, misappropriation of funds, theft of funds, and workers getting screwed.
Kevin P.
+ 1
The corruption was horrible. That’s why the unions are under strict
government oversight and restrictions constantly
Agreed. My dad lost 50% of his pension and that was years ago! Never got it back even after years of court battles.
Shawn Fain wants everyone to pay more for cars made by people that only work 32 hours a week??? Boo!
It’s interesting that all the foreign auto makers can be so productive using half the
labor that the UAW requires.