Analysis

UAW Set to Expand Strike on Friday if New Deal Not Reached

Written by Ethan Bernard

September 19, 2023

United Auto Workers (UAW) union president Shawn Fain has announced a new deadline: Friday, Sept. 22, at noon, after which point the union could expand its strike.

“If Ford, General Motors, or Stellantis have not made substantial progress toward a fair agreement, the UAW will call on more members to join the ‘Stand Up Strike,’” the union said in statement on Monday. The statement references a video made by Fain and posted on several of the union’s social media sites.

The UAW launched a strike on Sept. 15 against all three Detroit-area automakers when a labor agreement was not reached. The union is targeting specific plants across all three companies. That’s a departure from the standard practice of targeting all the plants at one automaker.

So far, the union has aimed the strike at GM’s Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri; the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio; and Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. (but only the final assembly and paint shops there).

“We’ve been available 24/7 to bargain a deal that recognizes our members’ sacrifices and contributions to these record profits. Still, the ‘Big Three’ failed to get down to business,” Fain said in the video.

“If we don’t make serious progress by noon on Friday, Sept. 22, more locals will be called on to stand up and join the strike,” Fain added.

The union resumed talks with the automakers on Saturday, according to a report in the New York Times.

When contacted by SMU, spokespersons for GM, Ford, and Stellantis pointed to statements referencing that the automakers continue to bargain in good faith and seek an agreement.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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