UAW authorizes strike; union targets General Motors first in contract talks

[thackney]

UAW authorizes strike; union targets General Motors first in contract talks
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2019/09/03/uaw-strike-gm/2086091001/
Sept. 3, 2019

The UAW will seek to negotiate a contract with General Motors this fall as a template for talks with Detroit's two other automakers, setting up a confrontation with a company that has angered workers with plans to idle four U.S. factories.

UAW leadership made the decision, spokesman Brian Rothenberg said.

Factory workers have said they feel angry and mistreated by the company since GM's announcement of plant reductions in November.

“Mary Barra said from the outset of these talks that we will stand up (together) as we tackle a changing industry. We are ready to stand strong for our future,” UAW President Gary Jones said in a statement released at 9 a.m. Tuesday....


...The UAW, which represents nearly 150,000 hourly workers at Ford, GM and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, also said workers at each local of all three companies have voted to authorize a strike: 95.98% approval at Ford, 96.4% at GM and 96% at FCA....

[thackney]

UAW will negotiate first contract with GM
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2019/09/03/uaw-approves-strikes-moves-forward-gm-negotiate-first-contract/2196048001/

...The UAW and GM have had a strained relationship since roughly a year ago when CEO Mary Barra announced the company would "unallocate" four U.S. plants, which would pull products out of the plants and effectively idle them. The UAW has objected to that move, and has sued the company.

Negotiations are intensifying as some members of the union are angered by new and expanding revelations from a years-long federal investigation into UAW alleged corruption during the 2015 contract negotiations. Most recently, the sitting UAW president's house was raided by federal agents.

The current UAW contracts with the Detroit Three expire at 11:59 p.m Sept. 14. The union could strike any of the three companies as soon as those contracts expire, though the UAW also has the option of extending its contracts with the automakers until new contracts are ratified by membership....

[jmyrlefuller]