As the first company-wide GM strike to hit the automaker in 12 years enters its third day, the Associated Press reports that progress in contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and General Motors is slow, but advances have been made, citing statements made by UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg.
Roughly 50,000 UAW members are currently participating in the GM strike, halting production at the automaker’s facilities across the nation. The UAW and GM are still hammering together an agreement, but must address a variety of contentious issues, including health insurance costs, wages, pensions for temporary workers, and plant closures. The new agreement will be part of a new four-year contract between the UAW and GM.
Barra and UAW boss Gary Jones, prior to the strike
As talks resumed earlier this week, early reports indicated no progress, as tense negotiations led to flared tempers and calls for breaks. Now, it looks like some forward momentum has been achieved.
This latest GM strike went into effect at midnight on Sunday after contract negotiations between the union and GM failed to find a resolution, following the expiration of a previous contract Saturday night.
Although it’s still uncertain when a resolution will be found, any progress at all is surely a positive sign for both sides of the table.
Indeed, both sides are certainly feeling the pressure. Some analysts predict the GM strike could cost the automaker upwards of $100 million per day. GM stock value has also seen high volatility throughout the week.
Meanwhile, General Motors has shifted UAW member health insurance costs to the union, placing yet another drain on the UAW’s strike fund. What’s more, employees at GM supplier companies have already been laid off, and are ineligible for the $250 weekly strike pay offered to GM employees. UAW members are also under investigation in a widening corruption probe by the FBI.
We’ll be covering this story continually as it develops, so make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more UAW news and ongoing GM news coverage.
Source: Associated Press
Comments
I have ordered a truck,waited almost 2 months,finally got a build date for mid October,delivery mid November maybe…yep I’m pissed,you people shouldn’t take orders if you can’t deliver period.
Frustrated to the point of cancel..something needs figured out and soon
The strike won’t last long. There was no actual reason to strike anyway. With the contract expiring and all the union leaders getting carted of to jail, there wasn’t much hope they’d be able to negotiate a contract in time anyway.
This is just a pointless diversion.
Meanwhile, General Motors has shifted UAW member health insurance costs to the union, placing yet another drain on the UAW’s strike fund. What’s more, employees at GM supplier companies have already been laid off, and are ineligible for the $250 weekly strike pay offered to GM employees.
Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/09/slow-progress-reported-in-gm-uaw-talks-amid-gm-strike/#ixzz5zyGC9nmJ
Not too bright of an idea on the part of GM management, ditching health care