The United Auto Workers (UAW) expanded the strike that began in mid-September in search of better working conditions. The automobile manufacturers' union reported Monday that it had called for a total of 6,800 workers to join the strike. As detailed by the UAW, all of the employees who joined the pickets work for Stellantis at the Sterling Heights plant, located in the suburbs of Detroit:
BREAKING: 6,800 Local 1700 autoworkers join the UAW's Stand Up Strike at Stellantis's largest plant, Sterling Heights Assembly! #StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/TtbmAL4Q73
— UAW (@UAW) October 23, 2023
Stellantis: A main obstacle in UAW negotiations
This plant is responsible for manufacturing one of the most popular Stellantis models: the Ram 1500 trucks. That is precisely why AUW President Shawn Fain called for a strike at this location. According to his statements, Stellantis is presenting difficulties in the union’s negotiation by trying to "lowball and undercut us," as reported by NBC. Fain claims that their proposals are significantly inferior to those made by both Ford and General Motors, the other two automobile companies they are up against in the negotiations.
However, an agreement has not yet been reached with any of them. The AUW was unable to close an agreement with any of Ford, General Motors and Stellantis (known as the big three of Detroit). Reuters reports that the union is seeking better working conditions, including a 40% salary increase, with a 20% increase as soon as the new agreement is signed. The union also wants improvements in benefits and greater coverage for workers in electric vehicle plants.
The UAW continues to call for nearly 40,000 workers to go on strike until an agreement is reached. Through this action, reports Anderson Economic Group, the strike called by the union has generated total economic losses of $7.7 billion in the nation. Of these losses, $3.4 billion sre from to the Detroit big three alone.
