Tag Archives: Workers

Motorsport

Ford Will ‘Think Carefully’ About Where It Builds Vehicles After UAW Strike

Last September, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union went on strike towards Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. The UAW hit the automakers of their pocketbooks, strategically concentrating on sure crops for probably the most affect. For Ford, that was its worthwhile Kentucky truck plant, which now has the automaker pondering “carefully” about the place it will produce its future autos.

Ford CEO Jim Farley commented about its relationship with the UAW in the course of the Wolfe Research Global Auto Conference, including that it has modified. According to the Associated Press, Farley mentioned Ford having the first truck plant shut down does have an effect on the enterprise.

2023 Ford Super Duty production

Days after employees stopped constructing the Super Duty in Kentucky, Ford Motor Company Executive Chair Bill Ford went to the Rouge Visitor Center in Michigan, the place it builds the F-150, to ask union members to “come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks.” Bill mentioned the choice to close down the Louisville manufacturing unit harmed “tens of thousands of Americans.”

The strike at Ford’s Louisville manufacturing unit started on October 11, practically a month after the UAW kicked off its strike, placing 8,700 extra employees on the picket line. During the negotiations, the union would additionally target Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Suburban and Yukon production, however Ford has the best variety of union members of the three automakers.

2023 Ford Super Duty production
2023 Ford Super Duty production

The UAW suspended its strike on the finish of October, reaching agreements with Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors earlier than Halloween. The UAW membership voted to ratify the three contracts by Thanksgiving, ending the six-week standoff and profitable raises, higher advantages, an finish to the two-tiered employment system, and extra.

The elevated wages and advantages will improve the value of vehicles. Ford mentioned its autos will value $900 extra as a result of contract as soon as it is in impact. Like the remainder of the business, the automaker is navigating the transition to electrical autos. It has needed to rethink its technique, specializing in smaller, extra inexpensive EVs within the face of encroaching Chinese competitors.

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Stellantis Plans to Sell Auburn Hills HQ Amidst Historic UAW Strike: Report

The ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike in the United States, which is currently the largest in history, has brought the labor negotiations between the UAW and major automakers into the spotlight. In the midst of this dispute, Stellantis, the company behind several well-known brands like Jeep, Dodge, and Alfa Romeo, has reportedly made a bold proposal to sell its North American headquarters and technical center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, along with 17 other facilities.

This proposal, according to The Detroit News, is part of Stellantis’ fourth counteroffer to the UAW, and it has raised concerns about the future of these facilities and the impact on workers and communities. It’s important to note that this proposal does not necessarily mean that Stellantis is abandoning Auburn Hills. Instead, it offers the company flexibility and options for the future of its 500-acre campus, which includes labs, engineering facilities, and design studios. The Auburn Hills headquarters holds historical significance as it was previously Chrysler’s world headquarters.

The sale of the Auburn Hills headquarters would require the approval of the UAW, which represents the salaried employees at this location. Stellantis is also considering similar actions for other facilities across the United States. This proposal came shortly before the UAW declared a strike at Stellantis’ Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator plant in Toledo, Ohio, Ford’s Bronco and Ranger plant in Wayne, and General Motors’ Wentzville midsize pickup and commercial van plant outside St. Louis.

“We are proud to be the home of the Stellantis North America Headquarters. As Stellantis stands as the largest employer in our thriving community, we recognize the importance of addressing recent reports surrounding the closure of 18 US facilities. To date, we have received no indications or information suggesting that Stellantis intends to shut down its headquarters in our city,” said Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel in a statement.

Mark Stewart, Stellantis’ Chief Operating Officer in North America, clarified that the targeted sites were primarily Mopar aftermarket parts distribution centers that the company intends to modernize. He emphasized that the proposal would not lead to job reductions, but it could involve the closure or restructuring of some underutilized locations.

The UAW strike against Stellantis, Ford, and GM reflects the changing landscape of the automotive industry. As automakers strive to modernize and adapt to new technologies, they also need to address labor concerns and negotiate with the UAW to ensure the well-being of workers and the long-term sustainability of the industry. The proposal to sell the Auburn Hills headquarters and other facilities is just one aspect of these complex negotiations, and its outcome will significantly influence the future of the American auto industry.

“The discussion was constructive and focused on where we can find common ground to reach an agreement that provides a bridge to the future by enabling the company to meet the challenges of electrification,” stated Stellantis in an official statement after talks with the UAW. “Together with the UAW, we have the opportunity to establish a framework in this contract that will allow the company to be competitive during this historic transformation and bring our workforce along on this journey.”

Recently, UAW President Shawn Fain announced that the UAW strike is entering a more aggressive stage.

Motorsport

UAW Strike Disrupts Ford F-Series Super Duty Production at Company’s Largest Plant

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has initiated a strike at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, which is responsible for manufacturing the Ford F-Series Super Duty, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator. This facility is the largest factory owned by the Blue Oval and employs around 8,700 union workers.

The UAW expressed its dissatisfaction with Ford’s offer, stating that it was identical to the proposal presented two weeks ago. The union deemed this offer unacceptable and responded strongly and immediately.

The video provided above features UAW representative Shawn Fain, who offers further insights into the reasons behind the strike expansion. According to Fain, Ford’s decision to present the same offer again indicates a lack of seriousness on the part of the automaker.

Ford has also released a statement addressing the situation. The company criticized the UAW’s decision to call a strike at the Kentucky Truck Plant, describing it as grossly irresponsible. Ford stated that the union leadership’s strategy of inflicting “reputational damage” and “industrial chaos” on the Detroit 3 (including Ford) for an extended period was not surprising. Furthermore, the automaker emphasized that its offer to the UAW was outstanding.


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UAW Workers Once Used Horses On The Picket Line, Historical Photos Show

For the first time in the nearly century-long history of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are simultaneously impacted by a strike. Individually, the union has bumped heads with Motown companies many times since its formation in 1935. And sometimes, horses joined workers on the picket lines. Wait, what?

UAW Archivist on Twitter is currently sharing images of striking workers throughout the decades, and the horses caught our attention. There is no date or context for the photos, and it’s not clear if the horseplay is tied to a single strike or multiple strikes. One image shows a horse that clearly references a strike against General Motors. We think the image of the gentlemen on horseback (representing Local 1262) comes from Illinois, but we don’t have a direct tie to a specific automaker in that situation. In any case, we’ll go out on a limb and just say these photos are old.

 

Listed as the UAW’s official repository in its Twitter description, UAW Archivist isn’t just sharing old strike photos with animals involved. We see workers striking against Ford, with one image dated from 1937. Another series of black-and-white photos focuses on a strike against Chrysler in 1950.

 

Currently, 13,000 hourly workers from three assembly plants are on strike. The walkouts have shut down production of the Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Colorado, and Jeep Wrangler, and additional walkouts at other locations are expected in the days to come. According to Automotive News, rolling walkouts could extend the UAW’s $825 million strike fund, which is used to pay members who aren’t clocking in for work. As for vehicle production, estimates say Detroit automakers could lose upwards of 24,000 per week.

Striking workers are seeking pay raises of 36 percent with equal pay among working tiers, and a shift of temporary workers to full-time status. Also on the table are a return to defined benefit pensions, more time off, and future pay increases to match inflation. As the first day of this historic strike moves into the evening hours, there’s no indication that negotiations between the UAW and automakers have resumed.

Motorsport

Historic Strike Launched by Nearly 13,000 UAW Workers Against Detroit Three Automakers

The United Auto Workers (UAW), the labor union representing workers in the US automotive industry, has initiated a significant strike against the three major American automakers: Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This marks the first time in the union’s 88-year history that it has simultaneously gone on strike against all three automakers.

Negotiations between the UAW and the Big Three automakers to extend the four-year contracts signed in 2019 have reached an impasse. Despite proposed raises of up to 20 percent, the talks stalled in the final hours, leading the union to refuse to sign a new deal. UAW President Shawn Fain dubbed the strike a “righteous fight” against the automakers.

In a livestream on Facebook Live shortly after the strikes began, Fain expressed that this strategy would keep the companies uncertain and provide maximum leverage and flexibility in bargaining. He encouraged UAW members to continue organizing rallies, protests, and other actions to demonstrate their readiness to fight for their rights.

The strike, named the Stand Up Strike, is targeting specific plants of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. As a result, the production of popular vehicles like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevrolet Colorado has been significantly impacted. The UAW has been engaged in negotiations with all three automakers since late summer.

General Motors and Stellantis wasted no time issuing official statements minutes after the strike began. GM expressed disappointment in the actions of UAW leadership despite the unprecedented economic package it offered, which included historic wage increases and manufacturing commitments. Stellantis echoed similar sentiments, stating its extreme disappointment in UAW leadership’s refusal to engage responsibly in reaching a fair agreement for employees, families, and customers.

The strike is expected to continue at least into the weekend. If the current strategy does not yield a new agreement, additional plants across the country may be affected, intensifying the pressure on the automakers. While the initial strike targets plants of different companies, the union could potentially adopt a different approach and block all plants of a single manufacturer.