Title: Auto Workers’ Strike Continues as UAW President Highlights Progress and Ongoing Demands
Subtitle: Ford’s Largest Plant Joins Strike, Risking Millions in Daily Profits
Date: [Insert date]
The United Automobile Workers (UAW) union strike against the Detroit Three automakers has entered its fifth week, with no signs of a resolution in sight. UAW President Shawn Fain addressed union members, acknowledging the progress made but emphasizing that there is still work to be done.
Most recently, 8,700 workers at Ford’s largest plant, the Kentucky Truck Plant, walked off the job, posing a significant risk to the company. The strike is estimated to cost Ford approximately $30 million in profit per day. The Ford Kentucky Truck Plant manufactures high-profit vehicles such as Ford Super Duty, Ford Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator, generating around $25 billion in revenue annually for the company.
The striking workers are demanding a fair contract and better pay, joining the 25,300 autoworkers who are already on picket lines at various Ford, GM, and Stellantis facilities across the country. As reported by the Associated Press, the Detroit Three have laid off approximately 4,800 autoworkers at non-striking factories. Striking workers are currently receiving $500 a week from the union’s strike pay fund.
In terms of autoworker pay, the average hourly wage stands at about $28, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents an increase of approximately one dollar from the previous year. The autoworkers are calling for better pay, particularly in states where the Detroit Three automakers have factories. A comparison with other common occupations reveals that production jobs offer the highest average hourly wage in states such as California, Washington, and Illinois, which are among the most expensive states in the U.S. Childcare workers in Kentucky, on the other hand, earn the lowest average hourly wage, which is approximately $12.28.
The autoworkers argue that their pay has stagnated, while the profits of Detroit’s car companies and CEO compensation have significantly increased. With the three companies collectively reporting $21 billion in earnings during the first half of this year alone, UAW members are demanding a wage increase equal to CEO salary increases. Currently, top-tier autoworkers earn an average of $33 per hour, while newer hires are part of the lower tier, earning up to $17 per hour. Temporary or supplemental workers make even less. In comparison, leading CEO compensations are as high as $29 million for GM’s Mary Barra, $21 million for Ford’s Jim Farley, and $24.8 million for Stellantis in 2022.
The UAW strike aims to achieve several objectives, including the elimination of wage tiers, a 40% wage increase over the life of the contract to match CEO salary increases, restoration of cost-of-living allowance adjustments, defined benefit pensions for all workers, the right to strike over plant closures, a reduced workweek with more paid time off, limitations on the use of temporary workers, and increased benefits for current retirees.
Since the strike began in mid-September, UAW President Shawn Fain has extended its scope twice, including 38 parts distribution centers across the nation, GM’s Lansing Delta Assembly, and Ford’s Chicago Assembly and Kentucky Truck. Currently, approximately 115,000 UAW members are still active on their jobs.
As negotiations continue between UAW and the Detroit Three, the striking autoworkers remain determined to fight for their demands, while the automakers face mounting financial losses and production disruptions.