Union Representing Auto Workers Describes Negotiations with Ford as Constructive Amid Ongoing Strike

The United Auto Workers Union announced on Saturday that it had engaged in “constructive dialogues” with Ford, even as its targeted strike against the Big 3 auto manufacturers extended into a second day. The union is in active negotiations not only with Ford but also with General Motors and Stellantis, seeking enhanced compensation at a time when the automotive sector is experiencing significant profits and pivoting towards electric vehicles.

Stellantis also disclosed specifics concerning its most recent compensation offer to the union over the weekend, aligning its wage increase proposal closely with those of its industry rivals. The corporation, which owns Chrysler, has proposed a nearly 21% cumulative increase in hourly wages, which would include an immediate 10% bump upon ratification of the agreement.

However, this proposal falls short of the United Auto Workers’ demand for a 36% wage increase over a four-year period, in addition to other requisites that would raise operational costs for the automakers.

Mark Stewart, the Chief Operating Officer for North America at Stellantis, termed the offer as part of a “highly competitive” comprehensive package, aiming to level the playing field with non-unionized automakers that operate at a lower cost outside of the Big 3.

Stewart also alluded to a potential resolution concerning a shuttered factory in Belvidere, Illinois, a matter of considerable concern for the union. However, this proposal was withdrawn after the deadline to prevent a strike had lapsed. Stewart refrained from disclosing further details regarding the offer.

In a statement, UAW President Shawn Fain criticized Stellantis’ approach to the negotiations. “They view these workers merely as negotiating assets,” Fain remarked. “The Belvidere Assembly was a profitable facility that, until a few years ago, employed approximately 5,000 workers and supported their families. That workforce has now dwindled to none, and yet Stellantis continues its tactical maneuvers.”

On Friday, nearly one-tenth of America’s unionized auto workforce initiated strikes, affecting three key assembly plants: a General Motors facility in Wentzville, Missouri; a Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan, in the vicinity of Detroit; and a Jeep factory managed by Stellantis in Toledo, Ohio.

In response, several automakers have instructed some of their non-striking employees to abstain from reporting to work, including 600 individuals who were advised not to show up at a Ford factory on Friday.

Political leaders have urged the automotive companies to acknowledge the sacrifices made by workers in terms of wage and benefit concessions during the financial crisis of the late 2000s. “Given that our automakers are now reaping considerable profits, it is incumbent upon them to treat these same workers fairly so that the industry may evolve as more cohesive and competitive than ever before,” former President Barack Obama stated on Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about United Auto Workers Strike Negotiations

More about United Auto Workers Strike Negotiations

• United Auto Workers Official Website
• Ford Corporate Newsroom
• General Motors Press Releases
• Stellantis Media Center
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Automotive Industry
• Economic Impact of Automotive Industry
• Former President Barack Obama’s Official Statements
• Labor Strikes and Their Economic Implications
• Wage Negotiations in the Automotive Industry
• History of the United Auto Workers