Autoworkers Strike Expands Against GM And Stellantis

Topline

The United Auto Workers is expanding its strike against Stellantis and General Motors after negotiations reached a standstill this week, but workers at Ford will not join the strike as the union said it has made progress in those talks.

So far the strike is limited to about 13,000 workers at three factories — one each at GM, Ford and … [+] Stellantis.

AP/Paul Sancya

Key Facts

Some 38 GM and Stellantis plants—all of the parts distribution centers for the two carmakers—are joining the picket line Friday at noon, UAW president Shawn Fain announced Friday at a press conference.

The three plants, one from each of the big three, that initially began striking last week will remain on strike, but no additional Ford plants will be joining the strike, Fain said, noting the progress the union has made in negotiations.

About 5,600 autoworkers from those 38 Stellantis and GM plants are joining the picket line Friday.

In the negotiations Fain noted Ford made concessions including eliminating wage tiers and adding job security for its employees.

Fain encouraged family and friends of autoworkers to join those picketing and extended an invitation to President Joe Biden, who has yet to make an appearance on the picket line, but is under pressure from union leaders to do so.

Crucial Quote

“We will shut down parts distribution until those two companies come to their senses and come to the table with a serious offer,” Fain said at Friday’s press conference, referring to GM and Stellantis.

Contra

Ford released a statement Friday after UAW’s announcement, saying the company is working “diligently” to reach a deal with UAW. The carmaker said progress has been made in some areas but there are still “significant gaps to close on the key economic issues.” GM called the escalation “unnecessary” and accused UAW leadership of “manipulating the bargaining process for their own personal agendas,” after UAW announced an additional 18 GM facilities would be striking. GM said it has presented five separate economic proposals the company described as “historic,” that address job security and wage increases. Stellantis did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.

Key Background

Last Friday, thousands of autoworkers began striking at a GM plant in Missouri, a Stellantis plant in Ohio and a Ford plant in Michigan. Those three plants produce the Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Among the requests UAW has for the automakers are annual cost-of-living adjustments, a 36% pay increase over a four-year contract, greater job security and pension benefits for all employees. The UAW has said their targeted walkout is part of a new approach it’s calling the “Stand Up Strike” that the union says “gives us maximum leverage and maximum flexibility in our fight to win a fair contract.” In the days since the strike began the union said it could expand the effort from those three plants to plants across the country, which Fain announced Friday. As a result of the strike, the automakers have temporarily laid off thousands of employees.

Big Number

150,000. That’s how many Americans autoworkers UAW represents. About 13,000 of those workers from Stellantis, Ford and GM joined the strike last week.

Autoworkers Strike Expands Against GM And Stellantis—But Not Ford