UAW files unfair labor practice charges against GM and Stellantis

Aug 31 (Reuters) – The United Auto Workers union said on Thursday it has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against General Motors. (GM.N) and Stellantis, parent of Chrysler (STLAM.MI)saying that they have refused to negotiate in good faith.

Both GM and Stellantis have denied the unfair labor charges.

ford engine (FN) he said he was offering a 9% pay increase through 2027, far less than the 46% pay increase the union was seeking.

Both charges seen by Reuters say automakers for the past six months have refused to negotiate in good faith over wages and benefits.

UAW President Shawn Fain said in remarks online that the parties are far apart.

“We are going to fight like hell to get our fair share of justice for the workers,” he said. “We can do it, but these companies better get their act together and get serious.”

Fain said Detroit automakers want the ability to close US auto plants and move them to low-wage countries, adding that automakers’ threats to close US plants are “economic terrorism.”

Ford said its “generous offer” would provide hourly employees with a guaranteed 15% of combined and lump-sum wage increases, and better benefits.

“Overall, this offer is significantly better than what we estimate workers at Tesla earn. (TSLA.O) and foreign automakers operating in the United States,” Ford said.

The union’s demands include an immediate 20% wage increase, defined benefit pensions for all workers, shorter work weeks and additional cost-of-living increases.

The current four-year labor agreements covering 146,000 workers at Detroit’s Three Automakers expire on September 14.

Fain said neither GM nor Stellantis have counteroffers.

Stellantis said he was surprised by the UAW’s claims “that we have not negotiated in good faith. This is a claim without any real foundation.” Stellantis also said he was disappointed that Fain “is more focused on filing frivolous legal charges than actual negotiations.”

GM manufacturing chief Gerald Johnson said the company strongly contested the wrongful labor charge. “We believe it is without merit and is an insult to the bargaining committees. We have been very focused on negotiating directly and in good faith with the UAW and we are making progress,” Johnson said.

Last week, the UAW said some 97% of members voted to authorize a strike if no deal is reached by September 14.

The UAW also wants all temporary workers at American automakers to become permanent, increased profit sharing, a substantial increase in paid time off, and reinstatement of retiree health care benefits and adjustments for the cost of living.

The UAW said Ford wants no cap on temporary workers and that those workers would not participate in profit sharing, earn less than 60% of the maximum wage for permanent workers and receive inferior health care benefits.

Ford said it would raise the starting wage for temporary workers to $20 an hour, up 20%, and offer permanent employees $12,000 in cost-of-living adjustments over the course of their contract.

Ford said only 2% to 3% of Ford’s hourly workforce are temporary employees, the lowest number among the Detroit Three.

The UAW said the change to Ford’s profit-sharing formula would have reduced payments by 21% over the past two years, while Ford said it was offering a $5,500 signing bonus upon contract ratification for workers. permanent and temporary.

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