Talks between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Detroit Three automakers are ongoing as the strike by auto workers over pay enters its fourth day. Despite the lack of progress towards a deal, union negotiators and representatives of General Motors (GM.N), Ford (F.N), and Stellantis (STLAM.MI) held talks over the weekend. The UAW also had discussions with Stellantis on Monday, with plans for further talks with Ford later in the day.
This coordinated strike, which is the first time the union has struck at all three automakers simultaneously, comes at a time when approval of labor unions among Americans is at its highest point in decades. However, union membership has been declining in recent years. The strike involves approximately 12,700 UAW workers targeting three U.S. assembly plants, one at each of the Detroit Three, after the expiration of previous labor agreements. Analysts and industry executives speculate on whether the UAW will expand the strike to additional plants to increase pressure on the automakers.
UAW President Shawn Fain expressed that there have been minimal conversations over the weekend and that the ball is in the automakers’ court. He stated that there is still a long way to go in the negotiations. When asked about the possibility of extending the strike to other plants, Fain affirmed that the UAW is prepared to do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals.
The Canadian union Unifor announced that its contract with Ford is set to expire, and no agreement has been reached yet. The two sides remain far apart in their talks, and the union warned its members to be prepared for a possible strike. Ford has assembly and engine plants in Canada with around 5,000 union workers.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen commented that it is premature to predict the strike’s impact on the economy, as it depends on the duration of the strike and its effects. Yellen emphasized that President Biden expects the parties to negotiate intensively to reach a solution.
The strikes have resulted in halted production at plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri, affecting the production of popular models such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevrolet Colorado. Ford has already laid off 600 workers at the Michigan Bronco plant due to the impact of the strike, while GM anticipates halting operations at its Kansas car plant this week, affecting 2,000 workers.
If the strike continues, analysts predict that plants producing more profitable pickup trucks, such as Ford’s F-150, GM’s Chevy Silverado, and Stellantis’s Ram, may become the next targets. The strike has also had repercussions on other businesses, such as BlueScope Steel, whose shares have dropped to a three-month low due to the strike’s impact on its North American operations.
Several prominent lawmakers, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have shown support for the UAW by visiting picket lines in Michigan. The main points of contention between the unions and companies are pay, benefits, shorter work weeks, restoration of defined benefit pensions, and stronger job security as the automakers transition to electric vehicles.
The negotiations continue, and the outcome remains uncertain.
