2023-09-15 15:45:00
The union of employees of three major American automobile manufacturers launched an unprecedented simultaneous strike in three factories in the United States on the night of Thursday to Friday, failing to reach an agreement in the negotiations relating in particular to the increase in wages.
In front of the Ford plant in Wayne, in the Detroit area, horns and applause greeted the arrival of the president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, Shawn Fain, who had announced earlier that he had chosen to launch this movement three sites, one in each group (General Motors, Stellantis and Ford).
“Tonight, for the first time in our history, we are going to strike among the “Big Three”, the “Big Three” American auto manufacturers, warned the boss of the UAW, in the face of the blockage of negotiations on the conventions collective agreements and in particular on the increase in wages.
In addition to Wayne for Ford, the two other sites concerned are assembly plants, in Wentzville (Missouri, in the central United States) for General Motors (GM) and in Toledo (Ohio, north) for Stellantis (from the merger of the French PSA and the American Chrysler).
Around 12,700 employees are expected to walk out on Friday, according to the union.
But the movement might spread, underlined Shawn Fain, who urged the approximately 146,000 members of his organization working for these manufacturers to be ready to strike depending on the evolution of the negotiations.
Revaluations requested
Prolonged or expanded social conflict might have political consequences for President Joe Biden, whose economic record is criticized, particularly due to stubborn inflation.
A little over a year before the presidential election, he is walking on eggshells, between his stated support for unions and the specter of a blow to the American economy.
The president plans to speak on the subject on Friday.
According to the consulting firm Anderson Economic Group (AEG), a ten-day strike might represent more than five billion dollars in lost revenue for the American economy.
Negotiations between unions and builders began two months ago to develop new collective agreements for four years. Employees in the sector are demanding salary increases and more benefits, while automakers, who have recorded profits in recent years, have tightened the screws following the 2008 financial crisis.
The last strike in the sector, which dates back to 2019, only affected GM. It lasted six weeks.
The UAW is demanding a wage increase of around 40% over four years, while the three manufacturers have not gone further than 20% at most, according to the union.
“This company has been making money off our work for years. I think it’s time she gave something back,” testified Paul Sievert, an employee at Ford’s Wayne plant for 29 years.
The three historic giants of Detroit have, moreover, notably refused to grant additional days of leave and to increase pensions, provided by funds specific to each company.
“Historic strike”
In a statement, Ford said it was “absolutely committed to reaching an agreement that rewards employees and protects Ford’s ability to invest for the future.”
According to the group, the counter-proposal sent Thursday evening by the UAW “showed few differences from the initial demands” of the union. Ford called the offer he made to the union more than two days ago “historically generous with significant wage increases” and other benefits.
Questioned on CNN on Friday, Mary Barra, the head of GM, defended the manufacturers’ proposals, which include “not only a 20% increase in gross salary, but also profit sharing, class health care global and several other characteristics. So we think we have a very competitive offer on the table,” she said.
“We are extremely disappointed by the refusal of UAW leaders to engage responsibly to reach a fair agreement in the best interest of our employees, their families and our customers,” Stellantis responded in a statement. a statement.
Attempting to clear the land, Joe Biden spoke by phone Thursday evening to Shawn Fain and builder executives to take stock.
In mid-August, he pleaded for a “win-win” and “fair” agreement, strengthening workers’ rights during the transition to electric vehicles.
Strike expected to affect Canadian factories
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