UAW Chief rejects offers from Detroit Companies, calls it ‘inadequate’ — Will the auto strikes begin from September 15

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain conveyed his dissatisfaction on Wednesday, emphasizing that the offers from the automotive companies were insufficient, and the union is preparing for a potential strike.

A Historic Threat

In an online address to union members, Fain disclosed that while General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis had increased their initial wage proposals, they had rejected some of the union's other demands. Fain asserted that the offers on the table did not adequately reflect the sacrifices and contributions made by union members to these corporations. He hinted at the likelihood of taking action to secure their demands, stating that they were gearing up for a strike that would leave the companies astounded.

A Targeted Strike

The union's ultimatum threatens to trigger strikes at companies without ratified agreements by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. These strikes would be limited to specific factories within each company. Remarkably, this would mark the first instance in the UAW's 80-plus-year history where simultaneous strikes would hit all three major automakers.

Stalemate in Negotiations

Ongoing discussions between the union and the companies have shown little progress, with both sides seemingly far from reaching a consensus. Automakers argue that they must make substantial investments in electric vehicle development while continuing to produce internal combustion vehicles.
They contend that an expensive labor agreement could raise costs, putting them at a disadvantage against non-union foreign competitors. Automakers maintain that their proposals to the union have been equitable.

Ford's Frustration

Ford CEO Jim Farley expressed frustration over the situation during the Detroit auto show, asserting that