Workers at Major US Auto Manufacturers Launch Mass Strikes

Employees at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis are dissatisfied with their working conditions, leading to mass strikes organized by the United Auto Workers (UAW). They are demanding wage increases and reduced working hours.

According to CarScoops, thousands of workers from the "Big Three" automakers are participating in the strike. They have congregated at the General Motors truck plant in Wentzville, the Ford plant in Michigan, and the Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo.

Currently, other plants are operating as usual, but the UAW has not ruled out the possibility of expanding the strike to include more areas of the automotive industry.

Approximately 12,700 workers are taking part in the strike, receiving $500 per week from the United Auto Workers fund.

Workers from Detroit's "Big Three" automakers began striking after failing to reach an agreement with the United Auto Workers. Labor contracts expired on Thursday evening, and the union declared a strike, asserting that the automakers did not provide adequate proposals to their members.

UAW leaders demanded significant improvements in compensation and working conditions, including a 40% wage increase over four years, more paid vacation days, a four-day workweek, and the return of automatic wage increases to account for inflation. UAW also sought to secure pension payments for all employees, the right to strike over plant closures, and restrictions on automakers classifying workers as temporary for extended periods, which would deny them union benefits.

It's worth noting that 97% of the 140,000 UAW members voted in favor of the strike last month. However, the "Big Three" automakers argue that the union's demands are unrealistic and unattainable. Ford proposed a 20% wage increase over 4.5 years, while GM and Stellantis offered 18% and 17.5% increases over four years, respectively. UAW contends that the 40% wage increase they are demanding merely matches the increase given to top company executives.

Shawn Fein, the new president of UAW, took a firm stance during the latest round of contract negotiations, notably choosing not to shake hands with the CEOs of the automakers before the talks. He also refused secret negotiations and decided to publicly announce the union's key economic demands.

Ford, GM, and Stellantis released statements expressing disappointment with UAW's decision to declare a strike and its unwillingness to accept the proposed agreements. Industry analysts suggest that prolonged strikes could disrupt the automakers' plans and cost them millions of dollars.