As the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis enters its second week, the sides seemingly remain far apart in talks regarding a new four-year contract, with the main hangups reportedly pertaining to pay raises and the end of tiered wage systems. At the moment, the union is only engaging in a targeted strike, with workers walking out of one production facility belonging to each automaker, but UAW President Shawn Fain noted earlier this week that it would expand that action if talks didn’t make “substantial” progress by mid-day today. Now, hours after some leaked messages made it seem as if the union might be bargaining in bad faith, the UAW will not reportedly expand its strike against Ford, according to Reuters.
According to the report, the UAW has made “real progress” toward reaching an amicable deal with Ford, and as such, it won’t be expanding its strike against that automaker beyond the current one affecting the Michigan Assembly plant, which builds the Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger and employs around 3,300 people, though The Blue Oval recently laid off 600 workers at that plant.
.@UAW President Shawn Fain says 38 GM and Stellantis parts distribution centers will go on strike at noon today.
No additional Ford plants after “real progress” made this week. pic.twitter.com/dV8rcruNlp
— Michael Martinez (@MikeMartinez_AN) September 22, 2023
However, the same cannot be said of General Motors and Stellantis, it seems, as the UAW reportedly plans on expanding its strike against those two automakers to include 38 additional parts and distribution centers, according to Michael Martinez of Automotive News.
As Ford Authority previously reported, all three automakers were recently offering the UAW a 20 percent pay increase, though the union is reportedly seeking a lowered ask of around 36 percent. Otherwise, FoMoCo is seemingly willing to meet most of the union’s demands, including the return of cost of living increases, pensions for new hires, and increased pensions for retirees – but not its request for a four-day, 32-hour full time work week.
“Ford is working diligently with the UAW to reach a deal that rewards our workforce and enables Ford to invest in a vibrant and growing future,” the automaker said in a statement. “Although we are making progress in some areas, we still have significant gaps to close on the key economic issues. In the end, the issues are interconnected and must work within an overall agreement that supports our mutual success.”
We’ll have more on the UAW strike soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more 2023 Ford-UAW news, UAW news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
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