Stellantis has given the UAW the first new proposal from one of the Detroit Three since the union’s strike against automakers began last week, according to a union source familiar with the matter.
The source, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Wednesday that the union was reviewing the proposal, but did not provide details about the offer.
Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson provided a company statement, saying “Stellantis formally adopted a fifth offer yesterday, focused on open questions from the subcommittee.” She also provided no details.
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More UAW strike targets expected Friday
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain is expected to set additional strike goals Friday if, as he said in a recent update, Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis fail to make “progress substantial” towards a “fair agreement” by then. .
Despite recent comments about the company’s active proposals, the union said that ahead of the new offer from Stellantis, which owns Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat, it was awaiting counterproposals from all three automakers. Automakers had made numerous proposals before the targeted so-called Stand-Up strike, which was launched at factories in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri after contracts expired last Thursday evening.
Separately, on the sixth day of the historic UAW strike, talks were apparently underway. The union is negotiating simultaneously, but separately, with the three Detroit automakers.
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GM and UAW talk “in the toilet”
The discussion between GM and the union is not at an impasse, but “it’s in the toilet,” as a source close to the discussions said. The two sides were still talking, but were far apart on some key issues. There was no further movement in GM’s latest offer, made September 14, to the UAW.
GM CEO Mary Barra called the offer “a record” in terms of pay increases and other benefits. The union rejected it, reportedly due to ongoing concerns about a cost-of-living adjustment, the removal of pension levels and the reinstatement of a pension.
A source familiar with the discussions said GM is not interested in offering a pension again, noting that the automaker offers a 401(k) match of up to 6.4 percent. GM is also not interested in giving the union the requested 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay.
Union officials have generally rejected previous proposals from each of the automakers as inadequate at a time of record corporate profits and high inflation.
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Layoffs attributed to a strike
Other notable news during the day included a number of layoff announcements attributed to the strike.
- Stellantis announced it would lay off nearly 370 workers in Ohio and Indiana due to impacts on the Toledo assembly complex, where the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler are built.
- GM said it has closed its Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, and that most of the 2,000 workers split into two shifts will be laid off indefinitely following the strike at the assembly plant. of GM in Wentzville, Missouri, where the company builds its mid-size pickup trucks and cargo vans. GM builds the Cadillac XT4 SUV and Chevrolet Malibu sedan at Fairfax Assembly.
- Detroit-based seating supplier LM Manufacturing has laid off about 650 employees, LM Manufacturing spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst said. LM is a joint venture between Canadian automotive supplier Magna International Inc. and LAN Manufacturing. She said LM Manufacturing supplies parts for Ford’s Bronco SUV made at the Michigan assembly plant, part of which is on strike.
The UAW did not address the issue of layoffs Wednesday, but Fain has previously criticized GM and Ford for layoffs attributed to the strike that could affect thousands of workers in Michigan and Kansas. Fain said the union would compensate the laid-off workers.
Other notable news worth monitoring as the strike against the Detroit Three unfolds: The UAW has announced a separate strike against a Southern supplier. The union said in a social media post Wednesday that 190 ZF workers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are now on strike. “These members of UAW Local 2083 (@uawregion8) supply front axles to Mercedes and are fighting for a fair contract that ends the tiers, raises wages and provides decent health care,” said the union.
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.
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