In a groundbreaking move, the United Auto Workers union (UAW) has officially declared a strike against Detroit’s automotive giants, marking the first simultaneous labor action against Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis in the union’s 146,000-member history. UAW President Shawn Fain announced this unprecedented strike, set to commence at three crucial plants on Friday.
The strike’s targeted locations include GM’s midsize truck and full-size van plant in Wentzville, Missouri; Ford’s Ranger midsize pickup and Bronco SUV plant in Wayne, Michigan; and Stellantis’ Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. However, UAW leadership has yet to commit to a comprehensive strike encompassing all of its members.
UAW President Fain explained the innovative strategy behind this action, stating, “For the first time in our history, we will strike all three of the ‘Big Three’ at once. We are using a new strategy, the ‘stand-up’ strike. We will call on select facilities, locals, or units to stand up and go on strike.”
The union’s decision to strike arises from a backdrop of societal inequality, rapid industry transformations, and a labor movement redefining itself. The UAW emphasized its intention for this strike to evolve over time, granting national negotiators the maximum leverage and flexibility necessary to secure a record contract.
Initially, the union had demanded a 46% wage increase over five years, a shift to a 32-hour workweek with compensation for 40 hours, a return to traditional pensions and retiree healthcare plans, cost-of-living adjustments, and job assurances, especially as the Big Three expanded their electric vehicle (EV) operations.
However, recent developments have seen the UAW revise its wage-hike demand to 36%, while GM has countered with a 20% pay raise offer.
Notably, the UAW has voiced concerns over President Joe Biden’s push for EVs, fearing that the shift away from gas-powered vehicles toward more streamlined EV production could result in reduced labor demand. Additionally, the union criticized the Biden administration for offering multi-billion dollar green energy loans to car companies in states like Kentucky, without apparent consideration for workers’ wages, conditions, union rights, or retirement security.
UAW President Fain addressed this, saying, “I think our strike can reaffirm to [Biden] where the working-class people in this country stand and, you know, it’s time for politicians in this country to pick a side. Either you stand for a billionaire class where everybody else gets left behind, or you stand for the working class, the working-class people vote.”
This historic strike is poised to have far-reaching implications for both the automotive industry and the broader labor movement, with the UAW firmly staking its ground in the ongoing negotiations. Stay tuned for updates on this significant labor dispute.
