In a speech that has captured the attention of the auto industry and beyond, UAW President Shawn Fain recognized General Motors and Stellantis for their progress in ongoing contract talks on Friday but directed his fiercest criticism at Ford Motor Co. He accused the automaker of continuing to “pretend” it cannot manage a more favorable deal.
Fain emphasized the stance of the car companies: “The car companies have ‘money left to spend,'” and this was evident in the richer offers made by GM and Stellantis this week. But Fain reserved his most direct criticism for Ford, explicitly stating that “‘billionaire Bill Ford’ talked down to members this week,” suggesting the closure of the Rouge Assembly facility. This was juxtaposed against the announcement of a “$600 million dividend to shareholders” this week.
However, Fain refrained from escalating the strike during his Facebook Live update, which garnered attention from some 70,000 viewers online. Instead, he urged the members of the United Auto Workers union to “be ready and stay ready to stand up” and signaled that the union had “cards left to play.”
On the brink of potential agreement, Fain remarked, “That’s the hardest part of a strike. Right before a deal, is when there’s the most aggressive push for that last mile. They want to wait us out. They want division. They want fear. They want uncertainty. What we have is our solidarity.”
GM, when approached for comment by Detroit Freep, chose to remain neutral. GM spokesman David Barnas directed to an earlier statement, emphasizing they had “made substantial movement in all key areas.” Stellantis, in their statement to Detroit Freep, characterized the negotiations as “productive, building on the momentum from the past several weeks.”
However, Ford’s response was more detailed. In an email to Detroit Freep, Ford spokesman Ian Thibodeau highlighted the role of shareholders, stating that “shareholders are owners of the company — and they deserve to be rewarded, too, when Ford does well. … That includes tens of thousands of UAW members who choose to invest in Ford stock in their retirement plans, buy shares in the stock market, or both.”
In response to queries about the Rouge complex, Ford highlighted its substantial investments, pointing to the $700 million funneled into amplifying production capabilities for the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup. The new 2024 F-150 will roll out from the Dearborn Truck plant. Recalling a previous stance, Bill Ford, in his Monday address, underscored that despite past suggestions to shut down the plant, he firmly resisted. This commitment was proudly spotlighted during the centennial celebrations of the iconic Rouge site in 2018.
Ford also emphasized to the Free Press that their 2023 UAW contract proposal encompasses a product assurance for every Ford plant in the U.S.
Shedding light on the ongoing targeted strike against the Detroit Three automakers, which has seen about 34,000 UAW autoworker members on strike across the nation for 36 days, Fain saluted those on the picket lines. “Our ability to hold out and hit the companies economically, this is our leverage. We have one tool and that’s solidarity.”
Further dissecting the negotiation dynamics, Fain addressed some union members’ queries, saying, “I want to be clear, the membership is the highest authority of our union. You will always have the final say.”
Highlighting the evolution of offers, Fain expressed his skepticism: “I also find it a pathetic irony that every time they make an offer it’s ‘the best they can do, it’s a record offer’ and then two days later there’s a new record.”
Detailing the latest offers, Fain specified:
- Wages: A 23% wage increase from all three companies.
- Wage tiers elimination.
- A shortened progression to the highest wage.
- Reinstatement of COLA to 2009 levels.
- Improved profit-sharing conditions.
- Increased temporary worker wages.
- The right to strike over plant closures, excluding GM.
- Enhanced retirement contributions and benefits.
This intense negotiation period marks a pivotal moment in the auto industry, with outcomes that may redefine labor relations for years to come.
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