USA: Historic Auto Strike Involving GM, Ford, And Stellantis

No last-minute agreement: The US auto industry has been on strike since the early morning of September 15. Workers folded their hands after manufacturers rejected the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) demands for significant wage increases, a 32-hour week instead of a 40-hour week, and improved pension benefits.

This strike has historical significance: never in the 90-year history of trade-unions in the USA have large companies blocked production by mutual consent. The protest currently includes the GM plant in Wentzville, Missouri, the Stellantis plant in Toledo, Ohio, and the Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan, but the protest could expand to include all 145,000 union members.

The producers say they negotiated in good faith. Union leader Shawn Fain explained, “It’s time to protect the working class, protect our communities, and stand up to the unchecked greed of multinational corporations.” President Joe Biden also held talks with both sides, not taking positions but advocating for a successful conclusion to the negotiations. He fears that a possible extension of the strike could cause serious damage to the US economy: the estimated losses from the 10-day shutdown would be $5.6 billion.