Washington
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union in the US is considering expanding its strike against the ‘Big Three’ American automakers – Ford, GM, and Stellantis – by adding more strike targets on Friday if significant progress is not made in contract negotiations. Potential new targets include engine and transmission facilities, as well as factories producing large pickup trucks and SUVs. This decision follows the UAW’s strike action that began on September 15 at select facilities of Ford, GM, and Stellantis, which later expanded to include 38 GM and Stellantis facilities on September 22. Currently, 18,300 UAW autoworkers at 41 facilities in 20 states are on strike, demanding higher wages, pensions for all workers, and the elimination of tiered wage systems. The UAW has announced that it will reveal the new strike locations via a Facebook livestream at 10 a.m. on Friday, with the strike commencing at noon. President Joe Biden expressed his support for autoworkers during a visit to a picket line outside a GM parts distribution center in Michigan. Former President Donald Trump also visited and expressed his support for auto workers, criticizing Biden’s policies for changing the auto industry. However, UAW President Shawn Fain has stated that he sees no point in meeting with Trump.
