Stellantis has reached a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, joining Ford which also made a deal just three days ago. Although the terms still have to be approved by union members, UAW President Shawn Fain, celebrated the deal:
We not only secured a record contract, we've begun to turn the tide on the war on the American working class. We truly are saving the American dream.
Fian also highlighted that since the strike began a month and a half ago, Stellantis "doubled the total value of the proposals." He also emphasized that the deal would protect both manufacturing jobs as well as battery production jobs, proving that the emergence of electric mobility is not a "death sentence" for "good auto jobs in this country."
If approved, the agreement with Stellantis — which was considered to be the company with the most difficulties when it came to negotiating — would also increase wages by 25% over the next four and a half years for those who work in top assembly plants.
We have a tentative agreement at Stellantis. #StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/NsVL6w77WN
— UAW (@UAW) October 28, 2023
General Motors has yet to make a deal
While the UAW worked to reach a deal with Stellantis, it also took things up a notch at General Motors by calling on its plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, to join the strike.
Local 1853 members who work at GM Spring Hill Manufacturing have received the call and are joining the Stand Up Strike! @uawregion8 #StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/rsS3SVRrBR
— UAW (@UAW) October 29, 2023
Both sides described the current state of negotiations as disappointing. GM has yet to make a deal. GM spokespersons issued a statement which was collected by Automotive News (AN) that said they were surprised by the expansion of the strike: "We are disappointed by the UAW’s action in light of the progress we have made. We have continued to bargain in good faith." "We are disappointed by GM's unnecessary and irresponsible refusal to come to a fair agreement," Fain said.
Fain made these last statements to Reuters. He also learned what is holding the company back. He said that several General Motors sources who are familiar with what is happening at the negotiating table revealed two critical issues: retirement benefits and temporary jobs.
