UAW Threatens to Expand U.S. Strike If No Progress in Talks
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said on Tuesday it would announce on Friday which additional U.S. factories it would strike if there is no significant progress in talks with the Detroit Three automakers.
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U.S. Talks Continue
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The UAW launched a strike last week against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis,
targeting one assembly plant in each company.
“We’re not going to wait forever while they drag this out,”
UAW President Sean Gainey said in a video message on Monday,
setting the deadline after complaining of a lack of progress in recent talks. “We’re not playing games.”
Ford’s contract with the Canadian union Unifor, which represents about 5,600 workers at three plants in Canada,
expired at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday (0359 GMT on Tuesday).
Talks were extended by 24 hours after the union received a “substantial offer” from Ford.
Ford said in a statement it agreed to continue talks beyond the contract deadline in hopes of reaching a tentative agreement.
Unifor is seeking improved wages and benefits,
as well as support for the shift to electric vehicles and additional investment commitments from Ford.
Once the Ford deal is complete, Unifor will turn to negotiating agreements with GM and Stellantis.
U.S. Talks Continue
Talks between the UAW and the Detroit Three automakers continued on Monday,
with the U.S. strike in its fourth day with no sign of significant progress toward reaching an agreement.
About 12,700 workers at the three U.S. plants are on strike.
There is a disagreement between the unions and the companies over wages and benefits for workers.
The three automakers have proposed a 20% increase over four and a half years in their proposed deals,
though that represents only half of what the UAW is seeking through 2027.
The UAW at one point in the talks offered to reduce its demand to 36%.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it is too early to predict the impact of the strike on the economy,
which will depend on how long the action lasts and what is affected.
UAW Threatens to Expand U.S. Strike If No Progress in Talks