UAW Expands Strike at Ford and General Motors, Reports Reuters

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union announced on Friday that it will initiate strikes at new plants belonging to General Motors and Ford, as the historic simultaneous strike against the Detroit Three automakers continues into its third week, according to President Shawn Fain.

Initially, the UAW intended to declare a strike against Stellantis; however, the company reached out just before the planned 10 a.m. announcement, proposing significant changes to its contract offer, as stated by Fain.

The strikes will now extend to Ford’s Chicago assembly plant and GM’s Lansing, Michigan, assembly plant, impacting approximately 7,000 workers.

Below is a timeline of significant events since Fain’s election in March:

• March 25: Shawn Fain is elected UAW president, promising a tough stance against the major automakers.
• July 10: The union announces the commencement of contract negotiations with the Detroit automakers on July 13.
• July 11: Fain indicates that the UAW is prepared to strike at any automaker if a fair contract is not achieved.
• July 19: Fain meets President Biden at the White House to discuss contract negotiations with the auto companies.
• August 1: The UAW presents its demands to Stellantis, seeking significant benefit increases, including double-digit pay raises and defined-benefit pensions for all workers.
• August 2: Contract demands are presented to General Motors.
• August 3: Contract demands are delivered to Ford.
• August 8: Fain publicly rejects Stellantis’ contract proposals, citing unacceptable concessions.
• August 25: The UAW announces that 97% of its voting members support authorizing a strike if an agreement is not reached by September 14.
• August 31: The UAW files unfair labor practice charges against GM and Stellantis, alleging bad faith bargaining.
• August 31: Ford presents a contract offer providing a 15% guaranteed wage increase, lump sum payments, and improved benefits.
• September 1: The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) agrees to investigate the UAW’s charges against GM and Stellantis.
• September 6: The UAW submits a counterproposal on economic issues to Ford.
• September 7: GM’s counteroffer includes a 10% wage increase and additional lumpsum payments.
• September 8: Stellantis proposes a 14.5% wage hike over four years without lumpsum payments.
• September 8: Fain indicates the UAW aims to avoid strikes but is prepared to walk out if offers do not improve.
• September 11: Stellantis plans a new counteroffer after receiving a revised proposal from the UAW.
• September 13: The UAW rejects automaker counteroffers and reveals plans for targeted strikes at various plants.
• September 15: The UAW begins simultaneous strikes that disrupt production at GM, Ford, and Stellantis factories.
• September 16: Progress is reported in discussions between UAW and Ford, while Stellantis’ proposals fail to meet expectations.
• September 18: The UAW announces that further strikes will be declared on September 22 if progress stalls in negotiations.
• September 19: UAW members are seen picketing in Michigan and Ohio, urging union leaders to maintain demands for pay increases.
• September 20: Workers at ZF’s plant in Alabama join the strike, demanding better pay and healthcare benefits.
• September 22: The UAW confirms plans to expand strikes against GM and Stellantis but reports progress in discussions with Ford.
• September 24: Ford acknowledges that while some progress has been made, significant differences remain on key economic issues.
• September 28: The UAW makes a new proposal to Stellantis, with more strikes looming if there’s no significant progress.
• September 29: The UAW announces a strike at additional plants belonging to GM and Ford, excluding Stellantis, which modified its contract proposal just before the scheduled announcement.

As the negotiations evolve, the pressure continues to mount on the Detroit automakers amid growing demands for improved worker compensation.