Union workers are preparing for a strike they see as inevitable, even as small signs of progress between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three automakers appear.
Autoworkers at Detroit’s biggest vehicle manufacturers are signing up for strike shifts, buying burn barrels and saving money to prepare for a possible work stoppage as contract talks remain tense ahead of Thursday’s deadline.Many say they see a strike as inevitable, even as small signs of progress between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — appear. Both sides have compromised a little on wages in recent days, but they remain far apart.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who has spent the past several days shuttling between the companies to join the negotiations, says the union will strike against any company that hasn’t reached a deal with the UAW by the expiration of the current contract at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. Rickert and his spouse, who have one child in college and another in eighth grade, have been saving in anticipation of a strike. “We’ve literally cut out as much as possible … whether it’s just a simple carwash or what have you, we try to avoid that now,” said Rickert, who makes about $33 an hour. “Every penny could count if we’re out on strike for a period of time.”
The 38-year GM veteran makes about $32 an hour at the warehouse, which distributes parts to repair already-sold GM vehicles. Newer workers there start at about $17 an hour and top out at $25, he said.
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