(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The United Auto Workers strike against Detroit auto companies has expanded to include two parts distribution centers in the Chicago region: a General Motors site in Bolingbrook and a Stellantis location in Naperville.
In Bolingbrook, more than 80 UAW members walked off the job after their international president named their workplace in a Facebook Live broadcast.
Local 2114 president Richard Bray said his members, who start at $17 an hour and can aspire to a top wage of $25 an hour after eight years, are hurting.
“Corporate greed is what this is all about. They’re trying to suppress wages of our people and it’s time to stand up and fight,” he told WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya.
The UAW’s expanded list of walkouts are for 38 parts-distribution centers operated by General Motors and Jeep and Ram owner Stellantis across 20 states.
Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, UAW President Shawn Fain said during an online presentation to union members.
“We’ve made some real progress at Ford,” Fain said. “We still have serious issues to work through, but we do want to recognize that Ford is showing that they are serious about reaching a deal. At GM and Stellantis, it’s a different story."
Fain said GM and Stellantis, the successor to Fiat Chrysler, have rejected the union’s proposals for cost-of-living increases, profit sharing and job security, and “are going to need some serious pushing.”
GM said it has presented five “historic” offers covering wages and job security.
“Today’s strike escalation by the UAW’s top leadership is unnecessary,” the company said in a statement. “The UAW leadership is manipulating the bargaining process for their own personal agendas.”
Contributing: The Associated Press
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