In an online address to union members, Fain said General Motors, Ford and Stellantis have raised their initial wage offers, but have rejected some of the union's other demands.
"It's hard to negotiate a contract when there's no one to negotiate with," Farley said, wondering out loud whether Fain was too busy planning strikes or events aimed at getting publicity. "If the companies continue to bargain in bad faith or continue to stall or continue to give us insulting offers, then our strike is going to continue to grow," Fain said. He said the targeted strikes, with the threat of escalation, "will keep the companies guessing."
In addition to general wage increases, the union is seeking restoration of cost-of-living pay raises, an end to varying tiers of wages for factory jobs, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, the restoration of traditional defined-benefit pensions for new hires who now receive only 401-style retirement plans, pension increases for retirees and other items.
GM said in a statement that it continues to bargain in good faith, making "additional strong offers." The company reported progress including guaranteed annual wage increases and investment, investing in U.S. factories and shortening the number of years for employees to make top wages.