In the face of failed negotiations, the United Auto Workers union has shown that it will not back down from the strike if wage agreements and fair conditions for employees of the three major automakers are not reached.
After going on strike, the United Auto Workers union has shown that it will not back down from its decision to reach a fairer wage agreement with the three major automakers, and for that reason they are threatening to extend the protests to more plants before this weekend if negotiations that benefit them are not established.
In this regard, UAW President Shawn Fain stressed that they are looking for “serious progress” otherwise the factories could be really affected. “The autoworkers have waited long enough to get things right at the Big Three. We’re not waiting and we’re not wasting time,” he said.
In their fifth day of strike action the workers have shown clear signs that they will not back down, so far an estimated 13,000 workers are protesting from General Motors, Ford and Stellantis plants. However, 2,000 more workers from an assembly plant in Kansas City could join.
Experts have mentioned that this stoppage could cost billions of dollars to the U.S. economy if it extends for only 10 days, in addition to the companies close to where the strikes are taking place would also be affected.
Fairer wages
The UAW’s objectives are not precisely to generate a general economic imbalance, their fight is against the high and greedy salaries of the big executives of these companies. In addition to fairer working conditions that dignify the worker.
The manufacturers have already put several offers of wage increases on the negotiating table, but so far all have been rejected and described as “disappointing” by the union, while it is asking for a 36% increase over four years and improvements in hiring.
In his speeches Fain has stated that “if we want to move forward at the negotiating table, we must show the companies that it is not just about words,” he said while mentioning: “Our demands are fair. We are asking for our fair share in this economy and the fruits of our labor,” he said.