The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against the Detroit Three automakers has entered its third day with no immediate resolution in sight. Union negotiators and representatives from General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis are set to resume talks following the start of this significant labour action.
Notably, this marks the first time the UAW has initiated a strike against all three major automakers simultaneously.
Unions grow in popularity
This coordinated strike comes at a time when labor unions in the United States are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, despite relatively stable union membership numbers.
UAW President Shawn Fain has stated that progress in the negotiations has been slow. Talks with GM have resumed, and discussions with Stellantis and Ford are scheduled for Monday. When asked if there might be additional plant walkouts this week, Fain expressed the union’s readiness to take whatever actions are necessary to achieve their goals.
Approximately 12,700 UAW workers are currently on strike, targeting three US assembly plants, one at each of the Detroit Three automakers, as their prior four-year labour agreements expired at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Negotiations fell apart?
Negotiations between the UAW and Ford reportedly had “reasonably productive discussions” toward a new contract on Saturday. Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, has increased its offer, proposing raises of 20 per cent over a four-and-a-half-year contract term, including an immediate 10 per cent hike. This matches the proposals made by GM and Ford. However, these offers fall short of the UAW’s demand for a 40 per cent wage increase through 2027, including an immediate 20 per cent boost.
US President Joe Biden has signalled support for the union’s efforts, with administration officials engaging in discussions with the UAW and automakers during the negotiations. Biden aims to ensure that any new agreements with the automakers result in quality middle-class jobs in the auto industry.
The strikes have already had a significant impact, halting production at several plants that manufacture popular models, including the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevrolet Colorado, among others. GM’s efforts to launch new electric vehicles (EVs) are at risk of disruption due to the strike, potentially affecting both short-term and long-term production goals.
If the strike continues, analysts suggest that plants producing more profitable pickup trucks, such as the Ford F-150, GM’s Chevrolet Silverado, and Stellantis’ Ram, could become the next strike targets.
Besides wage increases, the UAW is demanding shorter workweeks, the restoration of defined benefit pensions, and stronger job security as automakers transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
GM is looking for ways to bolster its EV portfolio during ongoing strike
General Motors (GM) faces a higher risk of disruption to its electric vehicle (EV) production compared to its rivals Ford and Stellantis if the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike continues. However, some analysts suggest that a prolonged strike could also provide GM with the opportunity to address persistent issues in its EV operations.
While Ford and Stellantis are introducing several updated combustion-engine models in the coming months, GM’s primary focus is on electric vehicles. GM has plans to launch or increase production for at least five new EV models, including all-electric versions of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.
Throughout the year, GM has encountered challenges in streamlining its battery manufacturing processes and managing its EV supply chain and logistics. This includes difficulties in delivering Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EVs to dealers.
In the second quarter, GM’s deliveries of the Lyriq and Hummer fell significantly short of expectations, with only 1,348 Lyriqs and 47 Hummers delivered. These issues have been partially attributed to problems with battery module assembly, as acknowledged by GM’s CEO, Mary Barra, in July. She mentioned that a bottleneck in the production process had arisen due to delivery challenges from automation equipment suppliers, which had led to the manual assembly of battery modules.
A prolonged UAW strike may offer GM an opportunity to address and potentially resolve some of the ongoing challenges it faces in its EV and battery operations. While the strike would disrupt production, it could provide GM with a dedicated period to focus on resolving these issues and streamlining its EV manufacturing processes.