The United Auto Workers union today announced it was expanding its strike against General Motors Co. and Stellantis while giving a reprieve to Ford Motor Co.
The UAW said workers at parts-distribution facilities at GM and Stellantis were scheduled to walk off the job at 12 noon eastern time. Those operations are being added to strikes at factories at GM, Ford, and Stellantis.
“We’re focused at moving the companies at the bargaining table,” union president Shawn Fain said during a livestream at the UAW’s Facebook page. “GM and Stellantis are going to need some serious pushing.”
Ford presented a different situation, Fain said.
“This week we made some serious progress at Ford,” he said. “To be clear, we’re not done at Ford.”
Regardless, Ford, at least for now, has been spared additional walkouts. The UAW is strike one Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, outside of Detroit.
Fain said Ford agreed to reinstate cost of living adjustments for UAW-represented employees.
The union president said he’s ready to expand walkouts even further.
“I know more of you are ready to walk,” Fain told union members on the livestream. “It’s time to show the companies we are united.”
The UAW is seeking gains in wages and job securities after concessions made in the 2000s. The companies are preparing to bring out electric vehicles, which will require large investments.
GM, Ford, and Stellantis are looking to use profits from large pickups and SUVs to finance such investments. The shift to EVs also presents the union with a challenge because such vehicles won’t need as many assembly workers.
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