DETROIT—The United Auto Workers union initiated a strike against three automakers early on Friday morning after negotiations for new labor agreements fell through, just before the existing contracts were set to expire at 11:59 p.m.
The union had earlier threatened it would go on strike at three vehicle assembly plants as it pressed Detroit companies to come up with better wage and benefit offers. This marks the first time the union has gone on strike against all three automakers at the same time.
The factories include a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit, and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio.
Contracts between 146,000 auto workers and the companies are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Workers will stay on the job at all other plants.
“Time is of the essence,” union President Shawn Fain told workers late Thursday in an online address less than two hours before the deadline.
Despite increased offers from Ford and GM, it appears that no deals will be reached before the contracts expire.
Mr. Fain said for the first time in the union’s 88-year history, the UAW will strike at all three companies at the same time.
About 13,000 workers at the three plants are preparing to walk off the job after contracts with the Detroit Three expire at 11:59 p.m.
Mr. Fain has said more walkouts could be scheduled if companies don’t move on bargaining.
The union has a list of demands, including 36 percent pay raises over four years, cost of living raises, and an end to different tiers of wages for workers. Ford and GM are offering 20 percent during the next contract, while Stellantis’ last known offer was 17.5 percent.
The companies say the union hasn’t responded to their latest offers and have called union demands unreasonable. They fear taking on increased costs at a time when they have to spend billions to develop and build new electric vehicles, while also making automobiles with internal combustion engines.
The Ford plant that’s targeted employs about 4,600 workers and makes Bronco SUVs and Ranger midsize pickup trucks.
The Toledo Jeep complex has about 4,200 workers and manufactures the Jeep Wrangler SUV and Gladiator pickup.
GM’s Wentzville plant has about 4,100 workers and makes the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickups, as well as the GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express full-size vans.
