UAW Calls for Strike at GM

Following a formal meeting of local union leaders on Sunday, the UAW announced that its 46,000 members will go on strike after midnight to secure fair wages, affordable healthcare, a share of the profits, better job security and a defined path to permanent seniority for temps.

National Bargaining Committee Chair Ted Krumm of UAW Local 652 said, “We have been clear at the table about what GM members have indicated we will accept. We are standing up for what is right. We as local unions will sacrifice to stand up for what we deserve.

“Our members have spoken, we have taken action, and this is a decision we did not make lightly. We are committed to a strong contract at GM that recognizes our UAW members, who make some of the greatest products in the world and make GM so profitable.”

The last time a strike was declared at GM was in 2007. It lasted just two days, but cost the company an estimated $300 million per day.

General Motors said in a statement:

“We presented a strong offer that improves wages, benefits and grows U.S. jobs in substantive ways and it is disappointing that the UAW leadership has chosen to strike at midnight tonight. We have negotiated in good faith and with a sense of urgency. Our goal remains to build a strong future for our employees and our business.”

Offer details, as provided by GM, included: over $7 billion in investments and more than 5,400 jobs; solutions for unallocated assembly plants in Michigan and Ohio; investments in eight facilities in four states; introduction of all-new electric trucks; opportunity to become the first union-represented battery cell manufacturing site in the U.S.; and additional new vehicle and propulsion programs. The automaker said it has offered workers wage or lump sum increases in all four years, an improved profit sharing program, a ratification payment of $8,000, retention of health care benefits, and new coverage for autism therapy care, chiropractic care and allegy testing.

A strike will not affect sales at GM immediately due to auto inventory already at dealer lots. Wards Intelligence estimates there were about 795,000 vehicles in inventory at the end of August—a 77-day supply at the current sales rate. The Wall Street Journal noted that rollout of 2020 vehicles like the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks could be impacted.

Aramark Maintenance Workers at GM Strike

At midnight on Saturday, over 850 Aramark maintenance workers at GM went on strike over better wages, health care, vacation time and retirement. Aramark workers have been working under an extend contract since March 2018.

“We have UAW members who work long, hard hours and are still on public assistance,” said Gerald Kariem, Director of UAW Region 1D representing Aramark workers. “It’s shameful.”