Michigan
Ford Motor has stated that while progress has been made in some areas, significant gaps remain in key economic issues that need to be addressed before a new labor agreement can be reached with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. In a statement, Ford acknowledged that these issues are interconnected and must be resolved within an overall agreement that supports mutual success.
The UAW, which recently reported real progress in talks with Ford, has not yet commented on the latest statement. Unlike Ford, the UAW has expanded strikes against General Motors (GM) and Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler) to include 38 parts distribution centers across the United States. It’s unclear whether main table bargaining took place with GM and Stellantis over the weekend.
The UAW initiated simultaneous strikes on September 15 at one assembly plant for each of the Detroit Three automakers when the previous four-year labor agreements expired.
While Ford improved its contract offer, including enhancing profit sharing and agreeing to allow workers to strike over plant closures, UAW President Shawn Fain noted that there are still serious issues to resolve. The major points of contention include wage increases, workweek hours, the return of defined benefit pensions, and eliminating wage gaps between newer and older employees.
President Joe Biden plans to visit Michigan to show support for workers and visit a UAW picket line, while former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak in Michigan about the UAW strike. The strike has already affected automakers like GM, which was forced to idle its Kansas car plant due to parts shortages stemming from the labor dispute.
