UAW expands strikes against GM, Stellantis

The United Auto Workers (UAW) is expanding its strikes against General Motors (GM) and Stellantis to target the companies' parts distribution centers nationwide.

Union president Shawn Fain said a lack of progress on labor contracts with GM and Stellantis led to the expanded strikes — this time hitting repair parts.

"Today at noon ET, all of the parts distribution facilities at General Motors and Stellantis are being called to stand up and strike," Fain said on a Facebook Live event on Friday. "We will be striking 38 locations across 20 states, across all nine regions of the UAW."

The UAW will strike 18 parts distribution centers each at GM and Stellantis, affecting sites from Oregon to southern California and Massachusetts to Florida, with many in the central US. Although Fain noted some progress with GM on negotiations, it was not enough to forestall the additional actions.

"We will shut down parts distribution until those two companies come to their senses and come to the table with a serious offer," Fain said. "This will impact these two companies' repairs operations."

At Ford, Fain said progress had been made, including the elimination of wage tiers at two plants, reinstatement of the cost of living formula from 2009, and the immediate conversion of all temporary employees with at least 90 days employment, among other gains. He did not discuss wages, which the union wants raised by 40pc. While distance remains between Ford and the union, Fain said he was holding off expanded strike actions against the company.

"To be clear, we're not done at Ford," Fain said. "We still have serious issues to work through, but we do want to recognize that Ford is serious about reaching a deal. At GM and Stellantis, it's a different story."

Following Fain's remarks, Ford said it is aims to reach a deal "that rewards our workforce and enables Ford to invest in a vibrant and growing future."

"Although we are making progress in some areas, we still have significant gaps to close on the key economic issues," Ford said.

On 15 September, the UAW began striking at three plants, one at each of the three automakers.

Those strikes have led to further shutdowns and layoffs. GM idled its Fairfax, Kansas, plant because of a lack of parts, and Stellantis curtailed production and laid off workers at one of its parts facilities in Ohio, with two other plants in Indiana at risk of layoffs.

By Rye Druzin

UAW struck auto plants and associated idlings