DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – After mobilizing more of the United Auto Workers to Strike last Friday, the auto union continues its ‘Stand Up’ Strike amidst contract negotiations with little light at the end of the tunnel for workers and manufacturers. 

On a Facebook Livestream on Friday, UAW President Shawn Fain expanded the current ‘Stand Up’ Strike to encompass more than a dozen states, and invited everyone supporting their cause to join the picket line, including the Commander in Chief. 

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Tomorrow, President Joe Biden is expected to answer UAW Shawn Fain’s invitation to join workers on the picket lines. 

“Tuesday, I’ll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they helped create,” President Biden said on social media. “It’s time for a win-win agreement that keeps American auto manufacturing thriving with well-paid UAW jobs.” 

According to UAW Officials, the expanded strike is not directed at Ford Motor Company due to progress with contract negotiations. 

“Our UAW-Ford national negotiators have made important progress at the bargaining table, so for now our Stand Up Strike is not expanding against Ford,” UAW Officials said on Friday. 

UAW President Shawn Fain gave an update to negotiations, praising Ford for some of its new proposals. 

Fain did praise Ford for coming to the table and offering several new proposals including: eliminated wage tier for sterling axle employees who will be on the same pay scale as assembly workers, reinstated the cost of living allowance that was suspended in 2009, the right to strike over plant closures during the live of an agreement, additional job security in the event of a layoff including for temporary employees, and a profit sharing formula that would result in a 13.3% increase for average employees and payouts last year, the immediate conversion of temporary workers to full-time workers with the ability to earn profit sharing after 90 days of work. 

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However, he did not give General Motors and Stellantis the same reviews, instead he directed their union members to strike at 38 locations across 20 states. 

“But to be clear, we’re not done at Ford,” UAW President Fain said, “We still have serious issues to work through, we do want to recognize that Ford is serious about reaching a deal.  At GM and Stellantis it’s a different story.”

Some lawmakers joined in the UAW striking over the weekend, including United States Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and Cori Bush (D-Missouri) who spoke to those still striking at the Wentzville plant in Missouri. 

“These members saw their pay and their benefits cut, all for a myth,” AOC said during a rally. “A myth and an IOU for them to say one day when we are better, we’ll make it right. Well, time to cash the check.” 

The new walkouts are expected to impact more than 5,000 employees, in addition to the more than 13,000 members of the UAW already striking the Big Three Automakers.  According to UAW President Fain, all those already striking will continue to do so.