Auto Workers Union Continues Strikes as Negotiations with Car Companies Persist

UAW President Shawn Fain asserts further gains despite increased wage offers from Detroit automakers, as GM ups its offer and about 23% of the union's 146,000 members remain on strike nearing their sixth week.

UAW President Shawn Fain asserted in Facebook Live that all three Detroit automakers, GM, Ford, and Stellantis, have increased their wage and benefit offers but the union can secure more gains if it holds out longer in contract negotiations.
Despite the automaker's claims of making record offers, Fain criticized them as insufficient to compensate for the ground workers have lost over the past two decades. Following each offer, automakers assert it's their best, only to return later with a better one.
GM's recent offer reportedly included a wage increase to $40.39 per hour by the end of a four-year contract, representing a 23% growth over current wages, reinstated cost of living raises for many employees, and an 8% contribution to worker's 401(k) plans.
Fain warned that UAW could announce an expansion of its strikes at any time, depending on its negotiation progress with the automakers. As of the sixth week of the strike, about 23% of the union's 146,000 members employed by the three automakers were on strike.
In response to the increased wage offers, some striking workers, while welcoming the raises and cost of living pay, expressed suspicions over GM's potential delay of cost of living increases and concerns over part-time temps not being converted to full-time workers.