(WBEN) - More United Auto Workers union members are being called to strike, but not any from Western New York at this time.
During a Facebook Live video Friday morning, UAW President Shawn Fain announced that union workers in 38 locations across 20 states will be joining the current striking groups in the fight for a fair contract, both from General Motors plants and Stellantis - a company that makes Chryslers.
"We will shut down parts distribution until those two companies come to their senses and come to the table with a serious offer," said Fain on Friday.
Ford was spared additional strikes, because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, according to Fain.
"I think that it's a strategic move, another brilliant move by President Fain and the IEB (International Executive Board)," said UAW Region 9 Assistant Director, Ray Jensen with WBEN. "The companies don't know where we're going to strike next, and it gets more workers across the country involved in this momentum, this labor movement that's moving across the entire country."
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Jensen says it comes as no surprise to him that workers in Western New York were not called to the picket lines to join the strike just yet.
"It's been very strategic," he said. "Our local memberships and our local Western New York plants are ready, willing and able to stand up and strike if called upon, if needed. So we are just waiting for that call, and we will stand up and strike if needed."
Jensen is unsure of when exactly that call may come from President Fain and the IEB for UAW members in the region to join the ongoing strike.