Automakers grow frustrated over pace of UAW negotiations as new strike deadline looms
Frustrations remain around key economic demands and what some see as a lack of urgency by the union to reach a deal, according to people familiar.
UAW will announce new strike targets around 10 am ET on Friday. For contracts that cover 146,000 autoworkers. The people claimed that the union had not held any high-level talks with the companies before the announcement on Wednesday. This raised questions about its commitment to a settlement and ending the strike. Sources said that the lack of urgency frustrates company negotiators who are used to bargaining around the clock to reach a deal as quickly as possible. Fain and his union have made similar claims. The three automakers claim to have made substantial offers. Deals include wage increases of around 20% per hour, bonuses of thousands of dollars, and improvements to workers' already substantial benefits packages. On Wednesday, five people were injured by a vehicle leaving a GM part facility in Flint. The driver of the vehicle was a third-party contractor working for GM at the facility. UAW members at the Mopar Parts Center Line in Center Line (Michigan), a Stellantis Parts Distributor, picket the building after leaving their jobs on September 22, 2023 at 12 noon.
GM released a statement stating that three contractors including the driver had been barred from its property. The company asked Fain and UAW leaders for their help in ensuring the safety of Stellantis workers, including those who were on the picket lines.