UAW to strike at more US auto plants if no progress made by Friday
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Some 12,700 workers are striking at three Detroit auto plants in one of the most ambitious US industrial labour actions in decades.
PHOTO: AFP
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DETROIT – The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said it would announce on Friday more plants to strike if no serious progress was made in talks with Ford, General Motors and Chrysler-parent Stellantis, adding to pressure on the Detroit Three automakers.
The UAW last week launched a targeted strike
Some 12,700 workers are striking at the three US plants in one of the most ambitious US industrial labour actions in decades.
Ford also faces a total strike at its smaller Canadian operations if no agreement is reached on Monday evening with the union representing about 5,600 Canadian auto workers.
“We’re not going to keep waiting around forever while they drag this out,” UAW president Shawn Fain said in a video message late on Monday setting the new deadline after complaining about a lack of progress in recent talks. “We’re not messing around.”
Canadian union Unifor, whose contract with Ford expires at 0359 GMT on Tuesday, said there was still no deal just hours before the deadline.
Ford has two engine plants in Canada that build V-8 motors for F-series and Super Duty pick-up trucks assembled in the United States. It also has an assembly plant in Ontario.
A walkout by Canadian workers that shut down those engine plants could cripple US production of Ford’s most profitable vehicles, even if the UAW decides not to order walkouts at truck plants in Kentucky; Dearborn, Michigan; and Kansas City, Missouri.
“Ours is a small but highly consequential footprint for Ford operations in North America and this is our leverage, and we will use it,” Mr Payne said.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it was premature to forecast the strike’s impact on the economy, which would depend on how long the action lasted and what was affected.
The strikes have halted production at plants in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri that produce the Ford Bronco sport utility vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler and the Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck, along with other popular vehicle models.
Ford on Friday furloughed 600 workers who are not on strike at the Michigan Bronco plant because of the impact of the work stoppage.
General Motors said it expected to halt operations at its Kansas car plant early this week because of the strike at its nearby Missouri plant, affecting 2,000 workers.
Analysts expect plants that build more profitable pick-up trucks like Ford’s F-150, General Motors’ Chevy Silverado and Stellantis’ Ram to be the next strike targets if the walkout continues.
The union and companies are at loggerheads over pay and benefits for workers.
The three automakers have proposed 20 per cent raises over the 4½-year term of their proposed deals, though that is only half of what the UAW is demanding through 2027.
The UAW at one point during the talks offered to lower its demand to 36 per cent.
UAW members picket outside the Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio, on Sept 18.
PHOTO: AFP
Besides higher wages, the UAW is also demanding shorter work weeks, restoration of defined benefit pensions and stronger job security as automakers make the shift to electric vehicles.
Separately, former president Donald Trump plans to skip the second Republican presidential debate and make a speech in Detroit on Sept 27 to auto workers and others discussing vehicle issues, an aide said. REUTERS
