STLA - UAW to strike at more factories if 'serious progress' not made by Friday

2023-09-19 03:38:09 ET

The United Auto Workers plan to announce additional strikes against the Detroit Three if "serious progress" is not made in contract negotiations by noon on Friday, the union's president Shawn Fain warned, as the parties remain "far apart" on several issues.

The deadline would mark a week since the union announced targeted strikes in factories run by General Motors ( NYSE: GM ), Ford ( NYSE: F ) and Stellantis ( NYSE: STLA ).

"We're not waiting around, and we're not messing around," said Fain in a video message . "So, noon on Friday, September 22 is a new deadline."

Workers are currently on strike at GM's ( GM ) plant in Wentzville, Missouri; Ford's ( F ) plant in Wayne, Michigan; and Stellantis' ( STLA ) plant in Toledo, Ohio.

Fain also downplayed the White House's role in brokering a deal. "Not at all," he told MSNBC when asked if the White House could help the union and automakers reach a deal.

"This battle is not about the president," he said. "This battle is about workers standing up for economic and social justice and getting their fair share."

Fain's comments come ahead of the arrival of a White House team in Detroit, expected some time this week, tasked with mediating contract talks .

Strike threat in Canada

Separately, Canadian trade union Unifor extended negotiations with Ford ( F ) for a 24-hour period to avoid a strike after the contract between the company and the union expired at midnight Tuesday.

"The union received a substantive offer from the employer minutes before the deadline and bargaining is continuing throughout the night," Unifor said in a statement . "Unifor members should continue to maintain strike readiness."

Unifor's demands revolve around pensions, wage hikes and support for workers during the transition to electric vehicles.

More on UAW strike

• White House team to reach Detroit this week; Stellantis offer rejected
• Ford to lay off 600 workers at Michigan plant in relation to UAW strike
• GM, Ford, Stellantis strike outcome a guessing game
• Ford: Path To Ruin When Opportunity Abounds
• General Motors: Impacts From UAW Strike

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