Detroit’s Big Three automakers are responding. United Auto Workers amazing When it is not possible to reach new contract agreements with the association, on them.
The UAW strike at Ford, General Motors and Stellartis facilities officially began after current contracts expired at 11:49 a.m. Thursday, and as of Friday, about 13,000 workers from the Big Three have lost their jobs out of nearly 150,000 UAW members. The union struck at one plant per producer.
UAW workers are striking at the GM plant in Wentzville, Missouri. Stellants Plant in Toledo, Ohio; and the Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan. Plants not called to strike will operate without contracts, and the UAW plans to target additional facilities as negotiations continue.
Here are the latest responses from automakers to the shutdowns:
Ford’s latest public update, issued Friday afternoon, said the strike is affecting workers who didn’t vote.
“Our production system is highly interconnected, which means the UAW’s targeted strike strategy will have knock-on effects at facilities not directly targeted for a strike,” the statement read. “In this case, the strike at the Michigan Assembly Plant’s final assembly and paint departments directly affected other parts of the facility. About 600 workers in the Michigan Assembly Plant’s Body Building Department and South Sub-Assembly Area have not been notified of a combined stamp. September 15 to report to work.”
The automaker described the UAW terms as “unsustainable” and said that “Ford has negotiated in good faith to avoid a strike that could have far-reaching consequences for its business and the economy.”
General Motors also issued a new statement Friday afternoon, warning that the shutdown at its iconic Missouri plant could soon affect another facility in Kansas.
“The UAW leadership’s decision to call a strike at the Wentzville conference is disappointing, as GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas and its 2,000 team members are expected to remain out of work early next week,” a GM statement said. “This is due to the lack of a critical stamp provided by Wentzville Stamp Works to Fairfax. We are working on an expired contract with Fairfax. Unfortunately, there are no provisions to allow SUB-payment by the company in this situation.”
GM CEO Mary Barra said FOX Business’ Grady Trimble said Friday morning that the company has been actively involved in negotiations, but didn’t get the “first real counter-proposal” from the UAW until Thursday night.
“I’m very disappointed and disappointed, and I think the UAW leadership needs to come to the table, because we need to get this resolved,” Barra said. All we have to do is problem solve.
Barra said both GM and the UA’s negotiating teams have been trying to reach an agreement. “We just need to get together, talk and get it done,” she added.
“We are disappointed by the actions of UAW leadership, even though GM has put an unprecedented economic package on the table, including historic wage increases and production commitments.” GM’s official statement reads. “We will continue to negotiate with the union in good faith to reach an agreement as quickly as possible for the benefit of our team members, customers, suppliers and communities in the United States, while our priority is the safety of our workforce.”
The UAW echoed GM’s displeasure with the way the negotiations were handled.
Dodge owner Stellants said in a statement: “We are deeply disappointed by UAW management’s refusal to responsibly engage in reaching a fair settlement for the benefit of our employees, their families and our customers. We will immediately place the company in a state of emergency and take all appropriate structural decisions to protect our North American operations and the company.”
The UAE It wants a 40% wage increase over four years, along with additional benefits, including a reduction in the work week to 32 hours for 40 hours. Car manufacturers have offered increases of up to 20% during the contract period.
UAA President Sean Fine told members in a Facebook Live video Wednesday night that despite progress in negotiations, “we are still very far apart on priorities.” He added: “We may have to take action to win.”
A UAW spokesman told the Wall Street Journal that talks between the union and the automakers will not take place Friday to allow UAW officials to work picket lines with members.
The UAW held a rally in Detroit Featuring Arb Fein, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vite and other lawmakers. The union plans to resume talks with the automakers on Saturday.
FOX Business’ Grady Trimble and Reuters contributed to this report.
Original article source: Ford, GM and Stellar have responded to the UAW strike
