The president of United Auto Workers (UAW)Shawn Fain, will announce on Friday his decision on expanding the strike that is now being held by some 25,000 workers at General Motors (GM), ford and Stellantis while negotiations accelerate to reach an agreement to end the strikes.
Fain’s appearance in a live broadcast on Facebook Live will occur at the beginning of the fourth week of the strike that affects five assembly plants and 38 parts distribution centers of the three large automobile manufacturers in the United States.
The UAW has already extended the strike twice since it began on September 15 due to the lack of progress in the negotiations for the signing of a collective agreement with the so-called Big Three of Detroit.
In the last week, companies have presented new offers to worker representatives. UAW has also made proposals to advance negotiations. But both sides have said the differences remain substantial.
UAW has requested a salary increase of 40% distributed over the next four years although the union appears to have lowered that demand. The union also wants job security guarantees and the unionization of workers at future battery production plants.
This Thursday, 24 hours before Fain announces his decision on expanding the strikes, GM reported that it presented a new counteroffer to the UAW.
“We believe we have an attractive offer that will reward our workers and allow GM to succeed and prosper in the future. “We remain ready and willing to negotiate in good faith at any time of the week to reach an agreement.”GM explained in a statement.
On Wednesday, GM put the cost the strike has had so far on the company at $200 million and said it has obtained a line of credit worth $6 billion to deal with the financial effects of the strikes.
Also on Wednesday, the American Automotive Suppliers Association revealed that a 30% of companies in the sector have had to lay off workers as a result of the strike.
The strike began on September 15 at three GM, Ford and Stellantis vehicle assembly plants. A week later, on September 22, UAW expanded the strikes to 38 GM and Stellantis delivery distribution centers.
And again, on September 29, Fain announced that the strike was expanding to two new GM and Ford assembly plants. In total, about 25,000 of the 146,000 Detroit Big Three workers affiliated with the UAW are on strike.
It is the first time in history that the UAW calls a progressive and simultaneous strike at GM, Ford and Stellantis.
Source: Gestion
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