DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – One day after the United Auto Workers called upon thousands of additional workers to leave the largest Stellantis Plant, they summoned thousands more to strike General Motors on Tuesday.
5,000 members of the Arlington Assembly, GM’s most profitable plant, joined the Stand Up Strike on Tuesday morning.
MORE NEWS: Campaign Blitz Intensifies in Michigan as Nov. 5 Looms
“Another record quarter, another record year. As we’ve said for months: record profits equal record contracts.” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “It’s time GM workers, and the whole working class, get their fair share.”
This marks the third third strike against a plant during the five week strike, raising the total number of striking workers to more than 45,000 according to the UAW.
Ahead of this latest union walkout, GM released its 2023 Third Quarter Results and estimates that it will continue to lose $200 million every week as the strike continues.
“Regarding the ongoing strikes at some of our U.S. facilities: I know many of you are concerned about the impact of higher labor costs on our business in the United States,” said Mary Barra, Chair and Chief Executive Officer for GM said in a letter to GM shareholders.
She added that it’s been clear wages and benefits would need to increase especially after COVID, and that the current offer is the “most significant that GM has ever proposed to the UAW.”
“The majority of our workforce will make $40.39 per hour, or roughly $84,000 a year by the end of the this agreement’s term,” the letter said.
MORE NEWS: Ford Halts EV Production at Dearborn Plant Three Years After Biden, Slotkin Praised Rollout
Just Monday, the UAW summoned 6,800 members of the largest Stellantis plant, Sterling Heights Assembly, to join the other union workers opposing contacts.
The automaker quickly responded opposing the claims and actions by UAW President Fain
“Stellantis strongly rejects the claims made today by UAW President Shawn Fain. In fact, we presented a very competitive offer and yet never received a response. We continue to approach these negotiations responsibly and bargain in good faith,” the automaker’s statement read.
Despite some of the Automakers’ calls for unity, Fain has rejected them.
“I want to be crystal clear on one thing – the days of the UAW and Ford being a team to fight other companies are over, we won’t be used in this phony competition.” United Auto Worker President Shawn Fain said on a Facebook Live broadcast. “We will always and forever be on the side of working people everywhere; non-union auto workers are not the enemy, those are our future union family.”
The Stand Up Strike that began in mid-September against three plants has swelled to eight assembly plants and 38 parts distribution centers in more than 20 states.
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.