DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – United Auto Workers rallying against the Big Three Automakers for new contracts may be making headway after new calls for unity by some of the automakers. 

Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford delivered remarks earlier this week, discussing how a strong manufacturing base is critical to our national security especially in uncertain times. 

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“In my lifetime I’ve watched countries lose their auto industry and then virtually all industries after that,” he said. “Countries that once had vibrant industrial bases, no longer make anything, they become dependent on others for critical products, aspects of their supply chain, and even national defense.”

He then pivoted to discuss the current strike with the UAW workers, calling the situation a “crossroads.” 

“The UAW leaders have called us the enemy in these negotiations, but I will never consider our employees as enemies,” said Ford. “This should not be Ford versus the UAW, it should be Ford and the UAW versus Toyota, Honda, Tesla, and all the Chinese companies that want to enter our home market.” 

He also discussed his unique history having worked with every negotiation since 1982, and declaring his pro-union stance through action. 

“On my watch, Ford is the only automaker to have added UAW jobs over the last 15 years,” said Ford, “We employ more UAW workers than any other automaker. We assemble more vehicles here in the U.S. than anyone else, including 100% of our S-Series Trucks. Many of our competitors moved jobs to Mexico, as we added jobs here in the U.S.” 

According to data provided by the companies during this month-long strike, Ford has laid off roughly 2,000 employees, General Motors about 2,300 workers, and Stellantis has laid off close to 650.  

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Stellantis recently announced it would be removing itself from the Consumer Technology Association’s conference, world’s largest technology show, scheduled for January 2024 in Las Vegas, NV, in large part due to the UAW Stand Up Strike. 

“As the costs of the ongoing UAW strikes against Stellantis continue to mount, the Company has decided to cancel its planned display and presentations at CES 2024,” the company said. 

Stellantis called the decision part of its “contingency plan” that it made at the beginning of the strike. 

“[The] company is executing comprehensive countermeasures to mitigate financial impacts and preserve capital, and will continue to demonstrate its transformation into a mobility tech company through other means,” according to Stellantis officials. 

Some of the strikers have been picketing without relief for over a month after initial calls for the strike were authorized by the union and activated by the UAW President Shawn Fain.

Last Friday, Fain announced that there would be an update to the UAW’s approach to striking, which followed a regular Friday announcement of new strikes for the coming week. 

“When I tell all of you members to be ready to stand up, I mean it,” Fain said. “We’re not waiting until Fridays anymore. We’re not sticking to one pattern or one system of giving these companies an extra hour or an extra day. They know what needs to happen, and they know how to get it done.”