UAW Presses Detroit Automakers for Better Offer, Threatens More Strikes: Report
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain on Friday warned of more walkouts at US truck and SUV factories unless the Detroit Three automakers improved wage and benefit offers, insisting companies could afford over the record packages on the table.
"We're striking the Big Three like we've never struck before," Fain said. "These extremely profitable companies have more to give."
After five weeks of walkouts, Fain said the UAW had received fresh contract offers from General Motors and Chrysler-parent Stellantis in the previous 24 hours. Ford made its newest offer over the past two weeks.
Fain confirmed the Detroit Three had converged on a 23% wage hike offer and made progress on other issues. But he told UAW members "there is more to be won". GM and Ford say additional cost-of-living increases already take their total compensation offers to over 30%.
Fain confessed some UAW members want to vote on the offers in hand but urged them not to give in to "fear, uncertainty, doubt and division" that he said were sowed by the companies, investing.com reported.
While warning of possible expanded strikes, Fain also told UAW members the talks were closing in on an end. "That's the hardest part of a strike," he said. "Right before a deal is when there's the most aggressive push for that last mile. "
Shares in GM and Ford both closed up about 1% on Friday, before Fain spoke.
The union opened bargaining with a demand for a 40% wage increase. Strikes began at the three automakers on September 15 and now over 34,000 union members are waging the UAW's first simultaneous strikes against the Detroit Three.