The United Auto Workers (UAW) have started a targeted strike against the big three after negotiations failed to produce a new work agreement. What does each side want? We take a detailed look at each side’s demands.
The UAW Demands
The UAW Website Lists These Demands
ELIMINATE TIERS – It’s wrong to make any worker second class. The Teamsters ended tiers at UPS. We’re ending them at the Big Three.
BIG WAGE INCREASES – We’re demanding double-digit pay raises. Big Three CEOs saw their pay spike 40 percent on average over the last four years. We know our members are worth the same and more.
RESTORE COLA – Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) made sure the working class thrived for decades. It must be restored.
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION FOR ALL WORKERS – All workers deserve the retirement security UAW members had for generations.
RE-ESTABLISH RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS – That’s just as essential as a solid pension.
RIGHT TO STRIKE OVER PLANT CLOSURES – The Big Three have closed 65 plants over the last 20 years. That’s devastated our hometowns. We must have the right to defend our communities.
WORKING FAMILY PROTECTION PROGRAM – This program keeps UAW members on the job and product in our plants. If companies try a shutdown, they’ll have to pay UAW members to do community-service work.
END ABUSE OF TEMP WORKERS – We are going to end the abuse of temps. Our fight at the Big Three is a fight for every worker.
MORE PAID TIME OFF TO BE WITH FAMILIES – Our members are working 60, 70, even 80 hours a week just to make ends meet. That’s not living. It’s barely surviving and it needs to stop.
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE RETIREE PAY – We owe our retirees everything. They built these companies and they built our union.
What GM Is Offering
The GM Negotiations Website Lists This As the Latest Offer
As of September 14th, GM is offering the following:
For most employees at max wage
- 20% wage increase over the life of the agreement with a double-digit 10% increase in year 1
- Inflation protection: cost of living protection included for maximum wage earners
- Job security: continuing work for all manufacturing and warehousing sites
- Healthcare: no change to premiums plus a 25% increase to retirement healthcare
- Improved work-life balance: Juneteenth off, 2 weeks of paid parental leave, and 5 weeks of vacation
For temporary workers and in-progression employees
- A faster path to max wages, cuts in progression steps in half to four years
- Temporary team member wages increased to $20/hour
For other employees
- $1000 payment to active traditional employees
- $500 payment to retirees
Comparison of UAW Demands vs. GM’s Offerings
Wage Increases:
UAW: Demanding double-digit pay raises.
GM: Offering a 20% wage increase over the agreement’s lifespan, with a 10% increase in the first year.
Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA):
UAW: Wants the restoration of COLA.
GM: Includes cost of living protection for maximum wage earners.
Job Security & Plant Closures:
UAW: Wants the right to strike over plant closures, citing 65 plant closures in the past 20 years.
GM: Promises job security with continued work for all manufacturing and warehousing sites.
Healthcare & Retirement:
UAW: Demands the re-establishment of retiree medical benefits and a defined benefit pension for all workers.
GM: No change to healthcare premiums and a 25% increase to retirement healthcare.
Work-Life Balance:
UAW: Wants more paid time off for members to spend with their families.
GM: Offering Juneteenth off, 2 weeks of paid parental leave, and 5 weeks of vacation.
Temporary Workers:
UAW: Aims to end the abuse of temporary workers.
GM: Proposes a faster path to max wages for temporary workers, cutting progression steps to four years, and increasing temporary team member wages to $20/hour.
Retiree Benefits:
UAW: Wants a significant increase in retiree pay.
GM: Offering a $500 payment to retirees.
Additional Benefits:
GM: Proposes a $1000 payment to active traditional employees.
How long will the strike last? It’s hard to say. Both sides have their demands and no one is happy. The UAW says they want to share in GM’s record profits while GM management says they are offering a strong package to the UAW. Each side will lose money as long as the strike continues. GM could lose billions and the UAW will deplete their strike funds by millions for each week the strike is active. Stay tuned to GM-Trucks.com as we continue to cover this strike.