DETROIT — UAW leaders on Wednesday marked the beginning of what are anticipated to be contentious contract negotiations with the Detroit 3 in a nontraditional method: visiting auto crops and talking straight with members.
UAW President Shawn Fain and different members of the worldwide government board appeared outdoors Stellantis’ Sterling Heights Meeting Plant early Wednesday morning, and deliberate to be at Normal Motors and Ford Motor Co. crops later within the day. The union selected the plant picture ops as a substitute of the standard handshakes with firm executives to kick off negotiations.
Fain mentioned employees advised him they need to see an finish to the two-tiered wage system, an finish to non permanent employees and the reinstatement of advantages reminiscent of cost-of-living changes and pensions.
“For the reason that Nice Recession, we have not gained, actually, something,” Fain advised reporters. “And the businesses have made 1 / 4 of a trillion {dollars} in earnings within the final decade.”
To make certain, lately union employees have gotten wage will increase, extra beneficiant tweaks to the system used to calculate profit-sharing checks and caps on the variety of non permanent employees, amongst different good points. However Fain is searching for to win again just about all concessions misplaced since 2007.
On Wednesday, he indicated the union will not choose a goal firm, as is custom, however would as a substitute negotiate with all three automakers directly.
“The strike goal is the Huge 3,” Fain mentioned. “If the Huge 3’s not going to come back to the pump for employees, there’s going to be points.”
Tuesday night, Fain appeared on Fb Stay asking members to fill out a “assist card” with their contact info so the union can hold them knowledgeable of bargaining updates. Fain has promised higher communication than previous leaders.
“We’re taking a unique strategy each step of the way in which,” he mentioned.
Fain mentioned he’s decided to win good points for union membership.
“We have to cease this may’t-do mentality,” he mentioned. “The query I want you to consider is, ‘How far are you prepared to go to win the contract you deserve?’ ”