U.S. automobile workers decide to “expand the strike”
The president of the United Auto Workers Union of America (UAW), Shawn Fain, announced in his statement that workers will stop working at 38 more GM and Stellantis facilities in 20 states.
Fain said that in negotiations with Ford, the union made progress on wages, job security and other issues and that the company was serious about reaching an agreement.
AUTOMOTIVE WORKER STRIKE
Approximately 13,000 workers decided to strike after UAW negotiations with Ford, GM and Stellantis over the new contract for approximately 150,000 workers did not reach an agreement as of September 14, the end date of the current contract.
Thus, the automobile workers’ strike, called “Stand Up”, targeting the 3 main automobile manufacturers, began on September 15 and, for the first time in the union’s 88-year history, workers at 3 factories car dealers went on strike together. .
Following the strike decision, unionized workers stopped working at the GM assembly plant in Missouri, the Ford factory in Michigan and the Stellantis Jeep factory in Ohio.
THE UNION WANTS A 36 PERCENT WAGE INCREASE
Automakers responded to the strike by making temporary layoffs at some of their factories.
While Ford temporarily laid off 600 non-striking workers at its Michigan assembly plant, Stellantis announced that it would temporarily lay off 68 workers at one of its factories due to the strike, and that layoffs were expected at its transmission facility in Indiana. .
GM also announced it would lay off 2,000 workers at its Kansas factory.
The union is demanding a 36 percent pay rise from automakers over four years, better retirement supports and more paid leave.
On the other hand, GM and Ford are proposing a 20 percent wage increase, while Stellantis’ offer is 17.5 percent.
THERE IS CONCERN THAT THE STRIKE WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE ECONOMY
Economists predict that a strike by auto workers in the United States could cause economic losses due to supply problems and price increases.
While there are concerns that the economic impact of the strike could go beyond the auto industry, it is anticipated that the strike could cause a total economic loss of more than $5 billion if it lasts 10 days, according to estimates from the consultant. Anderson Economic Group (AEG). (AA)