The UAW is expanding their strike against Ford and General Motors by targeting popular crossovers from four different brands.
At noon, roughly 7,000 UAW members began striking at GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly in Michigan as well as Ford’s Chicago Assembly in Illinois. They join the 18,000 members who were already on strike at more than 40 facilities in 21 states.
The expanded strike ratchets up the pressure as Lansing Delta Township Assembly builds the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse. The plant is also set to build the redesigned GMC Acadia, which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show and is slated to arrive at dealerships early next year.
More: UAW Expands Strikes Against GM And Stellantis, But Spares Ford
Chicago Assembly builds the Ford Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility as well as the Lincoln Aviator. Ford typically sells more than 200,000 Explorers annually, so that’s going to hurt if the strike drags on.
UAW President Shawn Fain said, “Over the last week, the vice presidents, your national negotiators, and my office have been working night and day to bargain a record contract that reflects the record profits we have produced for the Big Three. Sadly, despite our willingness to bargain, Ford and GM have refused to make meaningful progress at the table.”
That stands in stark contrast to reports that automakers have become upset with UAW leadership and their laissez faire attitude. In particular, CNBC recently noted “GM and Stellantis have grown increasingly frustrated by a lack of participation from Fain and what they say are delays in receiving counterproposals from the union.” The report added automakers sense a “lack of urgency” from the union and “talks have been few and far between.” This suggests we could be in for a long strike as Fain seems to want media attention more than he wants to make a deal.
Ford Fires Back
Ford made their frustrations known by saying they’ve “offered a contract that would change the lives of its 57,000 workers.” The automaker went on to claim the union is “holding up the deal primarily over battery plants that will not come online for another two to three years.” That seems to be a reference to BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, which recently saw work paused until the company is “confident about our ability to competitively run the plant.”
Ford CEO Jim Farley came out swinging and said, “It is grossly irresponsible to escalate these strikes and hurt thousands of families.” He added, “If the UAW’s goal is a record contract, they have already achieved this.”
As the automaker explained, “Before the strike – on September 12 – Ford made an offer that would mean substantial wins for its workers, including wage increases of more than 20%, traditional cost of living allowances, health care coverage that is in the top 1% for all Americans, eliminating wage tiers, boosting strong retirement contributions, granting more time off, and more.” Ford added they’ve continued to negotiate and improve its offer since then.
Ford then slammed UAW leadership by saying they’re demanding billions that are beyond the billions already offered. The automaker said giving into their demands would have “devastating implications for Ford’s business and the company’s ability to protect good-paying union jobs going forward.”
Stellantis Gets To Sit This Round Out
Picture credit: UAW
While the UAW is already striking at Toledo Assembly and Stellantis parts distribution centers, the union said they’re not expanding their action against the company due to “considerable progress in bargaining” that occurred earlier today.
Fain didn’t go into specifics, but said they’ve made significant progress on cost of living adjustments, plant closures, outsourcing moratoriums, and the right to strike over product commitments. He added the union is “excited about this momentum at Stellantis and hope it continues.”