UAW Boss Fires Back At GM, Calls Labor Contract Offer “Insulting” 

Update (1323ET): 

We informed readers earlier to anticipate a response from the United Auto Workers’ boss following General Motors’ labor contract supply. 

And identical to we suspected, UAW President Shawn Fain known as the GM’s labor contract supply “insulting”: 

“After refusing to bargain in good faith for the past six weeks, only after having federal labor board charges filed against them, GM has come to the table with an insulting proposal that doesn’t come close to an equitable agreement for America’s autoworkers. GM either doesn’t care or isn’t listening when we say we need economic justice at GM by 11:59pm on September 14th. The clock is ticking. Stop wasting our members’ time. Tick tock.”

Read beneath for the union’s calls for. GM’s supply was significantly off from these, suggesting a possible strike could be on deck late subsequent week. 

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Update (1217ET):

United Auto Workers has “been very clear” to Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis about “what our priorities are,” reminiscent of a 46% wage improve, reinstating conventional pensions, and trimming the workweek down from 40 to 32 hours in a brand new four-year labor contract. 

UAW has warned Detroit’s prime automakers that if new contract calls for aren’t met by Sept. 14 or subsequent Thursday — then put together for a wave of strikes. 

So, with UAW’s present labor contract expiring imminently, what does GM supply the union? 

Well, as Bloomberg reviews, removed from the union’s calls for: 

Here’s the whole record of calls for (record courtesy of Automative News’ Michael Martinez): 

Remember Biden mentioned he ‘wasn’t apprehensive about potential strikes’ final weekend whereas stress-free at his seaside home in Rehoboth. 

Last week, Ford pitched a brand new labor contract supply to UAW, which was promptly declined. It appears GM’s proposal would possibly face an analogous destiny.

One ought to be anticipating some indignant statements from the union boss. 

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Ford Motor Co. announced Thursday morning that almost 8,000 United Auto Workers-represented workers “have been fast-tracked to higher earnings,” and a few will earn $9,000 extra per yr. This comes because the automaker and the union have been discussing a new four-year labor settlement, as the present one expires subsequent Thursday. UAW members have already voted in favor of a strike if no labor settlement is reached.  

These workers will earn $4.33 extra per hour, or $9,000 a yr; some may earn greater than $10,000 a yr with extra time.

“The pay hikes were negotiated by Ford and the UAW in 2019 to shorten the time it takes workers to reach the average top wage rate of $32 an hour,” the automaker mentioned. 

Bryce Currie, Ford’s vp of producing, mentioned the quick observe to increased “pay raises” is an instance of Ford’s dedication to bettering the funds of its workforce. 

Currie continued, “The negotiating teams nicknamed this deal ’23 Jump Street’ because in 2023, a significant number of UAW-Ford team members would see a jump in pay. And we are offering further improvements in the next contract.”

Ford mentioned the wage charge hikes often takes eight years to play out, however this new settlement with 8,000 unionized workers means they’ve reached the highest wage charge in 4 years. 

The automaker has 57,000 UAW-represented hourly workers, with a median of 80% of all UAW workers on the prime wage charge or making round $32 per hour. 

UAW has been in heated discussions with Ford, General Motors Co, and Stellantis NV over new labor contracts that expire subsequent Thursday. The union has demanded 40% pay hikes for its staff throughout all three automakers. 

Last week, Ford supplied a 9% wage rise till 2027, considerably decrease than the 40% improve the union calls for. UAW members have voted to strike if no new labor contract could be negotiated throughout Detroit’s Big Three automakers.