DETROIT (WWJ) - UAW President Shawn Fain sent a very clear message to Detroit's Big Three automakers on Monday evening when he announced the latest strike deadline for contact negotiations.
If no significant progress is made with GM, Ford and Stellantis by Friday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m., Fain warned, then more auto workers will walk off the job.
“We’ve been available 24/7 to bargain a deal that recognizes our members sacrifices and contributions to these record profits. Still the Big Three failed to get down to business," the UAW president stated in a new video posted to Facebook.
"That’s why, last week, our brave union family at Wentzville Assembly, Toledo Assembly, and final assembly and paint departments at Michigan Assembly were called on to Stand Up and go out on strike. And that’s exactly what they did.
Just as importantly, all the rest of you stayed on the job. That is the only way this strategy works. We’re going to keep hitting the company where we need to, when we need to. And we’re not going to keep waiting around forever while they drag this out.
I have been clear with the Big Three every step of the way. And I’m going to be crystal clear again right now. If we don’t make serious progress by noon on Friday, September 22nd, more locals will be called on to Stand Up and join the strike. That will mark more than a week since our first members walked out. And that will mark more than a week of the Big Three failing to make progress in negotiations toward reaching a deal that does right by our members.
Autoworkers have waited long enough to make things right at the Big Three. We’re not waiting around, and we’re not messing around. So, noon on Friday, September 22nd is a new deadline.
Either the Big Three get down to business and work with us to make progress in negotiations or more locals will be called on to Stand Up and go out on strike.
Between now and then, UAW members will keep organizing actions. Those on strike will remain on strike. And those on the job will keep monitoring for unilateral changes made by management, which are NOT allowed under an expired contract.
Keep organizing rallies. Keep organizing red shirt days. Keep up the energy and keep showing the companies that you are ready to join the strike if necessary.
This is our generation’s defining moment. So be ready to stand up," Fain concluded.
The ultimatum from the UAW comes as their Stand Up Strike strategy enters its fifth day. There are currently 13,000 workers on strike at GM Wentzville Assembly in Missouri (Local 2250) Stellantis' Toledo Assembly Complex (Local 12) in Ohio and Ford Michigan Assembly Plant, final assembly and paint only, (Local 900).
It's a historic moment for the UWA, who has never before gone on strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis at one time.
Fain's latest announcement comes after a weekend of talks between the UAW and the Big Three. Fain said earlier that the talks were reasonably productive, but offered no additional details.
While there is still no breakthrough on negotiations between the UAW and the Big Three at this time, WWJ auto beat reporter Jeff Gilbert said the Detroit automakers are willing to keep talking and hopefully find a win-win solution.
Meanwhile, the ripple effects of the strike are spilling over across the border where Ford was also facing a Canadian strike threat from Unifor, which represents about 5,600 workers at three plants in Canada.
Talks were extended for 24 hours on Tuesday, staying the immediate possibility of a strike after Unifor said it received a "substantive offer" from Ford.
The Canadian union previously said that if its wage and pension demands weren't met by Ford by 12 a.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 19), then all Ford Unifor workers would strike.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest updates.