The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has confirmed the ongoing strikes against three major US car manufacturers could intensify if significant advancements aren’t made.
Last week, around 13,000 UAW members held strikes at three facilities.
These are owned by General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis (Chrysler’s parent company).
The union is pushing for a 40 percent salary hike over a four-year span, improved benefits, and other changes.
READ MORE: UAW Members Start Strikes At Three Major Auto Plants
In contrast, the automakers, primarily based in Michigan, have proposed roughly half of that increase.
In a recent Facebook video, UAW’s current president, Shawn Fain, hinted the strikes could be extended.
He said: “If we don’t see serious progress to noon Friday, Sept. 22, more locals will be called on to stand up and go on strike.
“We’re going to keep hitting the companies where we need to.”
Criticism from Donald Trump
He also hit back at criticism from former President Donald Trump.
He said: “Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriched people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers.
“We can’t keep electing billionaires and millionaires that don’t have any understanding of what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by and expecting them to solve the problems of the working class.”
Trump recently accused Fain and the UAW of neglecting workers amidst the transition to electric vehicles, a move supported by President Biden.
Trump said the shift would lead to a majority of electric cars being manufactured in China.
While President Biden has shown solidarity with the striking workers, the UAW hasn’t officially backed his re-election campaign.
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Historically, the union has favored Democratic presidential nominees.
However, a segment of its members sided with Trump in the past two elections.
Union and companies not seeing eye-to-eye
The ongoing negotiations between the union and the automakers are marked by significant differences.
The companies have proposed a 20 percent wage increase.
However, Fain believes this is insufficient, considering inflation and past union compromises.
The UAW is also advocating for broader pension coverage and company-sponsored retiree healthcare.
It also wants reduced work hours, and safeguards against US plant closures.
Most of these demands have been declined by the automakers.
Automotive industry leaders argue fully accommodating the union’s requests would place them at a competitive disadvantage.
They are concerned about the impact compared to non-unionized plants run by companies like Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
They emphasize their labor expenses are already higher than most non-unionized competitors.
The trio of car manufacturers have also expressed concerns about affording significant pay hikes and additional benefits.
The say they can’t pay the increases because of their substantial investments in electric vehicle development and battery plant constructions.
