DETROIT - With just over 24 hours left before a strike deadline, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Wednesday that offers from the companies aren’t enough and the union is getting ready to strike.
Questioned Wednesday night after an appearance at the Detroit auto show, a frustrated Ford CEO Jim Farley said if the union strikes Ford, it’s not the company’s fault because it has made four offers and hasn’t gotten a “genuine counteroffer.” 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.