. It would be the first time in the union's 80-plus-year history that it struck all three companies at the same time.Automakers contend that they need to make huge investments to develop and buildwhile still building and engineering internal combustion vehicles. They say an expensive labor agreement could saddle them with costs that would force them to raise prices above their non-union foreign competitors. And they say they have made fair proposals to the union.
The union president said it is still possible that all 146,000 UAW members could walk out, but the union will begin by striking at a limited number of plants. The UAW started out demanding 40% raises over the life of a four-year contract, or 46% when compounded annually. Initial offers from the companies fell far short of those figures. The UAW later lowered its demand to around 36%.
In a statement, Stellantis said it gave the union a third wage-and-benefit offer and is waiting for a response.