Strike halts USA’s three largest manufacturers’ production

By Redação AutoIndústria | 9/15/23 | Translated by Jorge Meditsch

After four years, the United States automotive industry faces a strike again. Since this Friday, 9/15, the workers have interrupted the production at General Motors, Stellantis and Ford plants in Missouri, Michigan and Ohio.

The movement is led by the United Auto Workers (UAW), the sector’s workers union, and claims for up to 40% wage increases – the manufacturers so far offered up to 20%. They also want a four-day labor week, inflation-adjustable automatic salary increases and limitation of temporary work periods without union benefits.

According to the North American press, nearly 13 thousand of the 146 thousand manufacturers’ employees crossed arms. In almost nine decades, this is the first time the UAW has paralyzed work simultaneously in three companies.

If the strike lasts long, it will strongly hit local production. The three manufacturers account for almost half of the vehicles made in the United States. UAW estimated that 24 thousand vehicles would not be produced weekly – initially, important models from the three manufacturers: Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Colorado.

In a recent note, Ford alleged the workers’ demands could more than double labor costs in the United States.

Photography: UAW