United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Monday that if the union has not made substantial progress toward reaching an agreement with the Big Three automakers by Friday at noon Eastern time, it is prepared to call for additional strikes. About 13,000 auto workers from three UAW plants in three different states are currently on strike at Ford Motor
F,
General Motors
GM,
and Stellantis
STLA,
and the union has said it is prepared to call on more workers to walk off their jobs if necessary. “We’ve been available 24/7 to bargain a deal that recognizes our members’ sacrifices and contributions to these record profits,” Fain said in a livestreamed update. “Still the Big Three failed to get down to business.” A GM spokesman said “we’re continuing to bargain in good faith with the union to reach an agreement as quickly as possible for the benefit of our team members, customers, suppliers and communities across the U.S.” An earlier Stellantis statement said the company resumed negotiations with the union Monday, which the union confirmed. “We continue to listen to the UAW to identify where we can work together and will continue to bargain in good faith until an agreement is reached,” the statement said. A Ford spokesperson said Monday night that the company is developing contingency plans in case of more work stoppages: “Bottom line: We’re working for a win-win.”
