UAW’s targeted strike aims to halt US auto production.

The United Auto Workers outlined plans for a series of strikes at individual auto plants belonging to Detroit’s Big Three automakers if agreements are not reached.

The potential‍ walkout‍ would be the autoworkers union’s ‌first-ever simultaneous strike ‌against General ‍Motors, Ford, and Stellantis over contracts, said UAW President Shawn Fain in a Facebook Live address on Sept. 13.

There would be no company-wide​ walkouts if both sides ‌failed to reach a deal, which is a ‍departure from the usual strategy of staging an all-out strike against ⁣a single automaker chosen ‌as a target.

Mr. Fain intends that⁣ the new strategy will throw the companies off balance and ⁢give the union maximum leverage‍ at the bargaining table.

UAW to Carry Out New Strike Plan

Details ‍of⁢ the UAW plan, which include the plants to be targeted, will be kept secret until right before the contracts expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14, according to⁢ Mr. Fain.

He did say that union leadership was beginning to see ⁤”movement from the companies,” but that both ⁤parties were still far apart on many issues, suggesting that a strike is likely.

“We do not⁣ yet have⁢ offers on the table that reflect the‌ sacrifice and‍ contributions our members have made‍ to ​these companies,” ‌Mr. Fain said, adding that “to win, we’re ⁤likely going​ to have to take action.”

He said the ‌union could escalate pressure on the carmakers if negotiations failed to go nowhere and that they were ​”preparing to strike these companies ⁤in a way they ​have never seen before.”

A targeted strike could potentially shut down operations for⁤ the ⁣Detroit automakers across the board, depending on which plants and facilities were struck.

Each of the Big⁢ Three operates a complex network of plants, ​which supply different parts to one another to keep operations running.

Stopping or ⁤slowing production⁢ at ‍even a few engine or transmission plants would be just as effective as a full strike at every plant, according to industry experts.

Another advantage of a targeted strike is that it would ⁤save the union resources and‍ extend a possible strike, as members who‌ go on strike are eligible for ⁣$500 a week in benefits from the UAW​ strike fund.

In contrast, if all unionized workers at the Big Three’s plants struck at the same time, it would cost the UAW more than ⁣$70 million a week and quickly drain​ its $825 million strike fund.

Autoworkers and Big Three Fail to Reach an Agreement

The automakers responded that union leaders failed‍ to⁣ formally respond to their more ⁣generous recent offers.

Last week, the UAW filed a complaint with the National ⁤Labor Relations Board, accusing GM and Stellantis of failing to‍ respond to their proposals and of unfair bargaining.

The union had initially demanded a 40 percent increase ⁤in wages over four years, in proportion to the increase in the automakers’ CEO pay, which ‍has surged since ​2019.

“For the last 40 years, the ‍billionaire class ⁤has been‍ taking everything and leaving everybody ​else to fight for the scraps,” said Mr. ​Fain, adding, “we are not the problem. ⁤Corporate greed is the problem.”

The UAW also is demanding regular ​cost-of-living adjustments so workers’ wages can keep‌ up ⁤with current inflation.

Detroit Automakers Call for a Deal

Meanwhile, the Big Three are investing tens of billions of dollars to build new electric vehicle‌ (EV)‌ and⁤ battery plants while retooling older​ factories to ​produce the new ⁢non-gas-powered models.

These ‍investments are concerning⁢ the⁤ union, which‌ is worried about the potential loss ⁣of jobs as a ⁢result of the transition to EVs, which have ⁤fewer parts ⁢and require ⁣fewer workers ⁢to produce.

The new battery plants are ‍being‌ constructed in partnerships, which ⁢are not automatically covered by the UAW contract.

However, workers ⁣at one GM battery ‍plant in Ohio voted to join​ the union and are negotiating a separate contract with⁢ the ‍car manufacturer.

“We continue to ‍bargain directly‍ and‌ in good faith with the UAW ​and have ⁢presented additional strong offers. We are ‌making progress in key areas that we believe are most important to our represented team members,” David Barnas, a General ‌Motors spokesman, told The ‌Epoch ⁤Times.

“This includes⁣ historic guaranteed annual wage increases, investments in our U.S. manufacturing plants to‌ provide opportunities for all, and ⁣shortening the time for in-progression employees to reach maximum wages.”

Ann Marie Fortunate,⁤ a Stellantis spokeswoman, told The Epoch Times that “we’re still awaiting‍ the UAW’s response to the ⁣offer we presented yesterday.”

“Our focus remains on‌ bargaining in good⁤ faith to have a tentative agreement on‌ the table before the collective bargaining agreement expires.”

Ford ‍CEO Jim Farley released a statement informing ⁣the union ⁢that “we are‌ here and ready to reach a deal.⁢ We should be working creatively to solve