WASHINGTON: The United Auto Workers (UAW) protest against the Detroit Three automakers is set to enter its 3rd day Sunday.
On Saturday, negotiators for UAW and automakers had “productive debates” toward a new agreement, the union said, while Stellantis said it had increased its contract offer.
US Auto Workers Protest
Around 12,700 autoworkers remain on protest as part of a coordinated labor action targeting major three American assembly plants following the prior 4-year labor contract expired at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. The strike has resulted in production slowdowns at key plants, affecting the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Chevrolet Colorado.
Earlier on Friday, US auto workers went on protest to press three automakers into increasing wages in an era of large profits and as the industry starts a costly transition from gas consumers to electric cars.
By striking concurrently at Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors for the first time in its history as the Auto Workers union is making efforts to increase their wages and secure certain benefits for workers.
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It was a first-ever coordinated action to seek pay raises, winning strong support from US President Joe Biden, whose pro-union stand is vital to his re-election hopes in 2024.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation said that the auto sector and its supporting industries add a trillion dollars to the economy annually and also employ about 10 million people in the US.
Reacting over the strike, US President Biden said he realized the “frustration” of the auto workers in the country.
