United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain said on Wednesday that reaching a consensus on "key priorities" in negotiations with American carmakers is "still very far apart," warning that "stand up strikes" at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis plants could take place "in a way never seen before" if the agreement is not reached by midnight on September 14.
"September 14 is a deadline, not a reference point...The Big Three can afford to give us our fair share. If they choose not to, they're choosing to strike themselves," Fain stressed in a Facebook Live, adding that strikes could take place at a "limited number" of locations and expand "as times goes on."
According to the leader of the UAW union, Ford proposed a wage increase of 20%, while General Motors and Stellantis offered a 18% and 17.5% wage hike, respectively. Fain underlined that all three offers are "inadequate."
