UAW Strikes Hit GM, Ford, and Stellantis Plants Amid Contract Dispute
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has initiated strikes at three major automotive plants owned by General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis after failing to reach a new labor agreement on Thursday night. The affected plants include a GM facility in Wentzville, Missouri; a Stellantis plant in Toledo, Ohio; and a Ford plant in Wayne, Michigan. Other plants will continue working without a contract for the time being. UAW President Shawn Fain indicated that this staggered approach would keep the automakers uncertain about further strikes. The key point of contention revolves around higher wages, with the union demanding over a 40% pay increase for rank-and-file members over four years.
Full-time assembly workers at Ford and GM currently earn $32.32 per hour, while part-time workers receive around $17 per hour. Full-time Stellantis employees earn $31.77 per hour, with part-time workers earning close to $16 per hour. The UAW is also advocating for the conversion of all temporary workers to permanent status, cost-of-living adjustments, pension benefit increases for retirees, and the restoration of pensions for new hires. The strike, which could potentially cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, is primarily driven by these demands for improved compensation and benefits.
The recent woes faced by America's leading automakers - Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis - have gone largely unnoticed amidst their impressive profits.