United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Friday that while Detroit’s automakers have increased their wage and benefit offers, he believes the union can gain more if it holds out longer in contract talks.
While Fain said the companies keep touting that they’ve made record offers to the UAW, he said they’re insufficient to make up for how much ground workers have lost during the past two decades. “We know that our UAW employees are hurting in this prolonged strike because of lost wages and lost profit sharing,” Ford’s statement said. “We’re eager to conclude these negotiations with a contract that meaningfully improves their lives and provides a strong future for everyone.”
Workers gave up the inflation-fighting raises in 2009, when the companies were in financial danger. GM previously has offered to contribute 8% of a worker’s salary into 401 defined-contribution plans, less than the 9.5% offered by its two competitors. A former temporary worker, McCray said he’s concerned that under an agreement, part-time temps won’t be converted to full-time workers. That said, McCray said he thinks workers would ratify the contract, given the raises, cost-of-living pay and other benefits, if Fain tells workers it’s the best deal he could get.