This is the U-A-W Strike podcast.
Today, September 21, 2023, marks the seventh day of the UAW strike against the Detroit Three automakers. The strike has had a significant impact on the auto industry, with production at several plants halted and thousands of workers idled.
Latest news from today's events in the negotiations and strike-related activities and announcements from the union and/or automakers:
U-A-W President Shawn Fain has reiterated his threat to expand the strike if "serious progress" is not made in talks by the end of the day today. In a video message released this morning, Fain said that the union is prepared to add additional plants to the strike, including Ford's Kentucky truck plant, which assembles the company's F-Series trucks, one of its most profitable products.
The Detroit Three automakers have acknowledged that the strike is having a negative impact on their businesses, but they have also said that they are committed to reaching an agreement with the U-A-W. In a statement released this morning, General Motors said that the company is "working diligently to reach a fair and equitable contract with the UAW that will provide our employees with good wages and benefits, while also ensuring the long-term success of our company."
The U-A-W and the Detroit Three automakers are reportedly still far apart on several key issues, including wages, benefits, and job security. The union is demanding significant wage increases and improved benefits, while the automakers are pushing for more flexible work rules and changes to the pension system.
The U-A-W strike is the largest labor dispute in the U.S. auto industry in over a decade. The outcome of the strike will have a significant impact on the future of the industry and the workers who depend on it.
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