Progress in talks between striking auto workers in the US
In the United States, the United Automotive Workers Union (UAW) did not expand the strike it began against the country’s 3 main automobile manufacturers, especially due to progress in negotiations with General Motors (GM).
In his statement, UAW President Shawn Fain provided information about negotiations with GM, Ford Motor and Stellantis.
Fain affirmed that they have made significant progress in the talks, saying: “Our strike is working, but we are still not where we want to be.”
‘WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS’
Fain claimed that GM eliminated a major disagreement in the negotiations by allowing battery factory workers to be included in the labor contract.
Noting that threats to strike at GM’s Arlington, Texas, factory forced the company to reach a deal, Fain said, “We’re winning, we’re making progress and we’re going in the right direction.” he said.
IT STARTED WITH 13 THOUSAND WORKERS AND REACHED 25 THOUSAND WORKERS
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 auto workers’ strike targeting the three major automakers began on September 15 and, for the first time in the union’s 88-year history, workers at three auto factories went on strike together.
The union announced on September 22 that it would extend the strike against GM and Stellantis due to a lack of progress in new contract negotiations. In this context, it was reported that workers would stop working at 38 more GM and Stellantis facilities in 20 states.
Last week, the UAW announced that 7,000 more members working at Ford Motor and GM would go on strike and that there would be no new strikes at Stellantis since contract improvements were made. Thus, the total number of striking workers increased to 25 thousand.
THE COST APPROACHED 4 BILLION DOLLARS IN 2 WEEKS
GM announced this week that these strikes cost the company $200 million in the third quarter.
The Michigan-based economic consulting firm Anderson Economic Group (AEG) also announced in its analysis published earlier this week that the cost of the auto workers’ strike approached $4 billion in the first two weeks. weeks. (AA)