“We are not going to wait forever while they prolong this. We are not kidding,” says the union president, noting that more workers will join those on the fifth day of the strike.
U.S. auto union leader ramps up pressure on major Detroit manufacturers by threatening to expand strike if no significant progress is made in the negotiations by Friday.
The president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, Shawn Fain, warned this Tuesday that more workers from other factories will join those who are now on the fifth day of the strike, in three factories.
“We are not going to wait forever while they drag this out… and we’re not kidding”stressed Fain, who set the deadline to intensify the strike until Friday, if there is no “serious progress” in the negotiations.
Thousands of automobile workers on strike in the United States. They ask for increases equal to those received by managers, like Carlos Tavares
Ford, General Motors (GM) and Stellantis, known as the Big Three, said they intended to resolve the strike and avoided directly criticizing the threat of an escalation.
Until now, The strike is limited to about 13,000 workers. at a Ford assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan, a GM plant in Wentzville, Missouri, and a Stellantis plant in Toledo, Ohio.
However, automakers have warned that there could be layoffs elsewhere as the strike will damage the industry’s supply chain.
GM warned Monday that the strike in Wentzville, near St. Louis, could force the company to shut down an assembly plant in Kansas City earlier this week. The strike could soon begin to affect the Big Three’s suppliers.
United States Steel revealed that it has temporarily idled one of its furnaces in Granite City, Illinois, an indication that the company strike expected to reduce steel demand.
Thousands of American auto workers on strike. They ask for increases equal to those received by managers
There are about 1,450 workers at that plant, most represented by the United Steelworkers, but the company has assured that many workers will not be affected by the closure of the furnace.
US President Joe Biden said he will send two senior government officials, including acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, to Detroit this week. meet with both parties.
Biden publicly supported the UAW, saying workers deserve a share in automakers’ recent record profits, although not all Democrats welcomed the head of state’s involvement.
The UAW pointed to automakers’ profits as prices rose sharply due to strong consumer demand and a limited supply of vehicles due to shortage of French fries and other questions.
The union seeks a 40% increase in wages, better hours and better working conditions. The companies argue they can’t meet the UAW’s demands because they must invest those profits to help them transition to electric vehicles.
Source: Observadora
