UAW strike expands again; Arlington GM workers to remain on the job
ARLINGTON, Texas - The United Auto Workers union has once again expanded its strike against the big three automakers.
The president of the union called on workers at a Ford assembly plant in Chicago and union members at a General Motors plant in Lansing, Michigan to walk off the job on Friday morning.
That means 7,000 additional union members are joining the strike.
"It’s the war of the working class vs. corporate greed.," said Shawn Fain, the president of UAW.
About 13% of the union’s 146,000 members have been on strike since mid-September.
The strike includes thousands of workers for what is known as the Big Three, GM, Ford and Stellantis, which owns Chrysler and related brands.
The UAW initially demanded a 40% pay raise over the next four years. Now it said it is willing to accept a 30% raise.
Ford, GM and Stellantis have offered 20% raises.
UAW strike: Union sends 7,000 more Ford and GM employees on strike
Union President Shawn Fain will provide an update on the UAW strike on Friday. Though he hasn't shared much about what he plans to announce, it's expected he will announce the next Big Three facilities joining workers on the picket lines.
Workers at the GM Assembly Plant in Arlington remain ready to join the strike as they push for better wages.
They held a solidarity rally outside the plant earlier this week.
They’re supporting workers at a GM parts facility in Roanoke, north of Fort Worth, and union employees at a Stellantis parts distribution center in Carrollton who are already striking.
"Our cause is just. Striking for a better future to protect our communities and to defeat corporate greed is not just our right, it’s our duty," said Fain.
The CEO of Ford, Jim Farley, accused the union of holding an agreement hostage with unreasonable demands at future battery plants for electric vehicles.
Farley said the demands would make Fords far more expensive than Teslas and other competitors.
Fain announced they would not add any more Stellantis workers, citing some progress at the negotiation table.
"Stellantis made significant progress on the 2009 cost of living allowance, the right not to cross picket lines, the right to strike over product commitments, plant closures and outsourcing moratoriums. We are excited about this momentum at Stellantis and hope it continues," he said.
FOX 4 reached out to the Arlington UAW and they said their president could provide a comment Monday.