NEW YORK (AP) — United Auto said Saturday it has had “reasonably productive discussions” with Ford about its limitations. Tap on the big 3 cars It was taken to the second day.
The union is trying to reach an agreement with not only Ford, but also General Motors and Stellants for better pay. A period of great profit For an industry trying to transition from gasoline engines to electric vehicles.
Stellantis on Saturday also provided details of its latest offer to the union, bringing its wage proposal in line with its rivals. Chrysler’s owner said the offer would provide a roughly 21% cumulative increase in hourly wages, which would increase 10% immediately if a contract is approved.
That, however, is still below the 36% increase the UAW is seeking, along with other auto companies’ costs.
Mark Stewart, chief operating officer of North America at Stellantis, on Saturday called it part of a “really competitive” overall idea as it tries to compete with low-cost automakers outside the Big 3.
Stewart also described a plant-related solution in Belvidere, Illinois, idle.It is a big issue for the union. But that offer left the table after the deadline to avoid a strike. Stewart declined to discuss specifics of the proposal.
“This is how you see these workers. A bargaining chip,” UAW President Sean Fain said in a statement. “Belvidere Assembly was a profitable plant a few years ago, supporting about 5,000 workers and their families. Now that number is zero, and Stellants wants to keep playing games.
Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. union workers went on strike Friday. The strikes are currently limited to three assembly plants: the GM plant in Wentzville, Missouri, the Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit, and the Stellants-run Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio.
Automakers have since told some non-striking workers not to report to work, including 600 who were told not to report to a Ford factory on Friday.
Politicians are pushing automakers to consider workers who gave up wages and benefits to help their employers during the Great Recession.
“Now that our automakers are enjoying strong profits, it’s time to do right by those workers so the industry emerges more unified and competitive than ever,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement Saturday.
