The UAW has reached a temporary agreement with automaker Stellantis after a 44-day strike. At General Motors, the only one of the Big Three to continue, the weeks-long strike has been extended.
Stellantis and the UAW agreed Saturday to, among other things, a 25 percent pay increase. That's less than the 40 percent the union initially demanded, but more than the 9 percent initially promised by Ford, which reached an agreement with striking employees on Thursday. Assembly members must still vote on the agreement.
US President Joe Biden, who supports the union's demands, said he was satisfied with the agreement. “I congratulate the UAW and Stellantis on reaching a historic agreement after important negotiations that guarantee workers the wages, benefits, dignity and respect they deserve,” he said in a statement.
At General Motors, workers are ramping up pressure with layoffs at an assembly plant in Tennessee. “We are disappointed by GM’s unnecessary and irresponsible refusal to reach a fair agreement,” said UAW President Sean Fine.
GM President Mary Barra said the UAW president essentially wants to put himself in the spotlight with this action.
