Photo: David Rodriguez Munoz ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI, September 15, 2023 ~ The UAW officially declared a strike against America‘s Big Three automakers, a move never before made in its 80-year history.
Stellantis, Ford Motor Co., and General Motors failed to meet contract negotiations by Thursday at 11:59 p.m., leading autoworkers to proceed with their planned strike.
PODCASTS:
Sept. 15, 2023 ~ Daniel Howes, senior editor and columnist for the Detroit News, talks with Guy and Jamie about the UAW striking at plants from each of Detroit‘s Big Three automakers, and the future of negotiations. Photo: Mandi Wright ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
Sept. 15, 2023 ~ Director of The McNair Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Northwood University Dr. Timothy Nash talks with Guy and Jamie about the economic impact of the UAW‘s strike. Photo: David Rodriguez Munoz ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
(CONTINUED) United Auto Workers President Shawn Fein warned in a 10 p.m. Thursday Facebook Live broadcast that a strike against Big Three automakers was all but inevitable.
“We are committed to winning an agreement with the Big Three that reflects the incredible sacrifice and contributions UAW members have made to these companies,” said Fain. “We’ve been clear … midnight on the evening of September 14 is a deadline.”
In his statement, the union leader instructed members at a General Motors plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Stellantis plant in Toledo, Ohio, and a Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan to walk out should an agreement not be reached by midnight.
VIDEO:
September 14, 2023 ~ UAW President Shawn Fein addresses his membership ahead of a contract negotiations deadline with America‘s Big Three automakers.
(CONTINUED) Fein went on to say that, for now, all remaining UAW workers will continue to work under the terms of their expired contract.
At issue are wages, which the UAW wants raised by 36 percent over four years. Union leaders point to high executive pay and strong company profits as justification. The union is also asking for an end to tiered employment practices, fewer temporary employees, expanded benefits packages, and worker protections.
For their part, the automakers say that, although they want to reach a fair deal, their labor costs are well above those of non-unionized competitors such as Tesla, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda.
A mass UAW rally is schedule for 4 p.m. Friday at the UAW Ford Joint Trust Building in Downtown Detroit. The location of the rally is directly adjacent to the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place where the annual Auto Show Charity Preview is scheduled to occur later that evening.
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