DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain wore a shirt which read “Eat the Rich” as he shared how the auto workers would not increase its current strike force, currently more than 20,000 strong Friday afternoon on social media. 

“I wish I were here to announce a tentative agreement at one or more of these companies, but I do want to be really clear, we are making significant progress,” he said on Facebook Live. “In just three weeks we have moved these companies further than anyone thought was possible.” 

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“We’ve had a major breakthrough that has not only dramatically changed negotiations, but it’s gonna change the future of our union and the future of our industry,” he added. 

Fain went on to announce that the auto union nearly closed the General Motors Arlington, TX plant, its “largest money maker.” 

“The company knew those members were ready to walk immediately and just that threat has provided a transformative win.” said Fain in the Facebook Live update. “GM has now agreed in writing to place their Electric Battery manufacturing under our national master agreement.” 

According to Fain, the union called the Big Three Automakers’ bluff, and what it meant for the union workers “could not be understated.” 

“The plan was to draw down engine and transmission plants and permanently replace them with low wage battery jobs,” he said. “We had a different plan, and our plan is winning at GM and we expect it to win at Ford and Stellantis as well.” 

One area that Ford had differentiated itself from GM and Stellantis was in the realm of wage increases, initially at a 9% increase. 

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“Now with members standing up everywhere, three weeks into the strike, our top offer is 23% from the same company,” Fain added, “It’s not where we need to be, but it’s a hell of a lot further along; both GM and Stellantis are behind Ford at around 20%, and we think they can catch up and then some.” 

Over the past three weeks, the UAW has increased its number of strikers by 7,000 last week, giving Stellantis a bye week from additional strike reinforcements due to its new proposals. 

“Moments before this broadcast, Stellantis made significant progress on the 2009 cost of living allowance, the right not to cross a picket line, as well as the right to strike over product commitments and plant closures and outsourcing moratoriums,” Fain said last week. “We are excited about this momentum at Stellantis and hope it continues.” 

Roughly 25,000 strike force members of the UAW are already activated and engaged in an ongoing strike against the Big Three Automakers, across 41 facilities and 21 states.