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United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Friday that the union plans to expand the strike to 38 General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV’s auto-parts distribution centers in 20 states, hobbling the two carmakers’ repair network.
Fain said that the union reached “some real progress” in negotiations with Ford Motor Co.
F,
which agreed to cost-of-living increases, some job protections, and other concessions.
“Ford is showing us they are serious about reaching a deal,” Fain said.
Ford shares added to gains after the news, snapping a two-day losing streak, and were poised to notch their highest one-day percentage increase since June 7.
Nearly 13,000 UAW members have been on strike at a General Motors
GM,
pickup plant in Missouri, parts of a Ford plant in Michigan and a Stellantis
STLA,
Jeep plant in Ohio since last Friday.
The workers at the parts distribution centers are scheduled to walk off at noon Eastern if no progress is made.
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Since the strike began, the union and the automakers have said they are engaging in constant talks as they try to reach a compromise on a new national contract.
The union is demanding wage increases, an end to tiers, the restoration of pensions and cost-of-living adjustments and more. Though both the union and companies have claimed progress during talks, GM President Mark Reuss said in a recent opinion piece in the Detroit Free Press that the UAW’s demands are “untenable.” That’s in line with Ford President Jim Farley characterizing the union’s wage proposal as “unsustainable” for the company before the strike deadline.
Fain, dressed in a gray camo shirt, mentioned Reuss’ “untenable” comment at his update Friday, which was webcast. GM and Stellantis “are going to need some serious pushing” to meet union demands, he said.
See: 5 things to know about the UAW strike
