DETROIT (AP) — 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.
In a Facebook Live appearance, Fain didn’t announce any more factories to add to those that have been on strike for up to five weeks. But he warned that the UAW could announce such an expansion of its strikes at any time, depending on how much progress it makes in its negotiations with the automakers.
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. Each time the automakers make an offer, Fain said, they insist it's the best they can do, only to return days later with a better offer.
GM said its offer raises pay for most of the work force to $40.39 per hour, or about $84,000 per year, by the end of a four-year contract. That's a 23% increase over the $32.32 per hour that most factory workers make. Compounded annually, it's 25%. 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.
It's not clear just when Fain may call on more workers to strike and join the 34,000 already off the job at six vehicle assembly plants and 38 parts distribution warehouses. The union's strikes at targeted plants at each company began on Sept. 15 and are nearing the start of their sixth week.
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