UAW Strikes Against Detroit Automakers

Dave Boucher, Phoebe Wall Howard, Jamie L. LaReau, Eric D. Lawrence

Detroit Free Press

Shawn Fain speaks to the UAW and the people: (63) UAW president outlines strike plans against Big Three Detroit automakers - YouTube

The UAW declared a strike against Detroit Three automakers Thursday as contract talks failed to secure new labor agreements before the current deals expired at 11:59 p.m.  

UAW President Shawn Fain announced the first wave of plants the union would strike if a new labor agreement was not reached before midnight: Ford Michigan Assembly Plant (Final Assembly and Paint only) in Wayne, Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio and General Motors Wentzville Assembly in Missouri.

The Detroit Free Press has photographers and reporters on the streets to capture the news, sights and sounds as workers leave their jobs for the picket lines.

11:07 a.m.: Mary Barra takes to the morning airwaves

General Motors CEO Mary Barra took to TV news appearances Friday morning.

“I’m extremely disappoint and frustrated that we’re in a strike,” Barra told co-anchor Michael Strahan on Good Morning America. “If you look at the offer we have on the table, it’s a very strong offer.”

As the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday, GM’s offer to the union consisted of a 20% hourly wage increase over the life of the contract, a shortened progression to top wages, added time off and other benefits.

But the union has asked for a 40% increase in hourly wages over the life of the contract to match the 40% increase in CEO compensation it says has happened over the past several years.

“I don’t know where the 40% came from,” Barra said when asked about the union’s claims about executive compensation. “I will tell you from an executive compensation package, 92% of my compensation is based on performance. So when we look at where we are from a GM perspective, when GM does well, employees do well.”

Barra said GM is ready to get a deal done.

“We’re there now (at the table). We’re ready and want to get back to it and problem solve,” Barra said. “We want to get people back to work as soon as possible.”

10:45 a.m.: More than 100 picketers on a chilly morning

Shelby couldn't sleep last night. The 29-year-old production floor associate got up around 3 a.m., drove from her home in Fenton to the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne where she's worked for almost three years, and grabbed a picket sign.

Gloves and hat shielded some of the crisp bite of a fall Michigan morning later Friday. But Shelby and two other picketers, all of whom did not provide last names for fear of reprisals, said the cold was nothing compared to the grind of producing some of the most popular vehicles in the U.S.

"We put our blood, sweat and tears into this stuff. The people on the outside probably don't realize it, but it's hard on our bodies," said Shelby, who lamented the tiered pay structure at her plant and lack of worker pay raises in comparison to executive increases.

"We deserve a little bit better for the literal blood, sweat and tears we put into this place."

More than 100 picketers lined Michigan avenue outside the Ford facility Friday morning, one of three across the country where the UAW is striking. Styrofoam coffee cups and White Castle slider sleeves littered the pavement, as workers juggled signs and chanting with donuts. A few politicians stopped by, with a horde of news media camped out in the median at near the UAW local facility across from one of the plant entrances.

Rick, a 48-year-old auditor with nearly three decades of experience at Ford, said he wasn't nervous about the financial ramifications of a prolonged strike. The key to all of this is solidarity in pursuit of a fair contract.

"We stick together," he said.

"Everybody in here has some kind of ailment -- back, legs -- it beats you up. We deserve equal pay, fair pay."

9:37 a.m.: Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow hit the picket lines

Both of Michigan's U.S. senators joined picketers early Friday morning outside the Ford Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat and senior member of Michigan's delegation, said the union and auto companies must agree to a contract that supports workers.

"I think the most important thing is to make sure that there is an agreement that supports the work of the people who get the job done here, and that they are supported to get this done as quickly as possible. It needs to be fair and just," Stabenow said, as cars and trucks driving down Michigan Avenue blasted their horns in solidarity.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow talks with striking Ford Motor Company worker Phil LaBelle, 23 of Allen Park who works the finishing line at the Michigan Assembly in Wayne during his shift on the strike line on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

Stabenow said she regularly speaks with both UAW President Shawn Fain and executives from the Big Three automakers. Those conversations showed her it's not a huge shock the union and companies are at a bit of a stalemate.

"They're all the home team for us," Stabenow said.

"Collective bargaining can be tough. It's not surprising to me that at this particular time that it's a tough situation. But they'll get through it, and they'll get it done."

8:47 a.m.: Sleep deprivation on overnight shift at Michigan Assembly

Factory workers at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne endured six-hour strike shifts that began at 12 a.m. Fridaywith plans to continue non-stop every day until workers reach a deal with Ford Motor Co. Their four-year labor contract expired at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. And while members on the picket line talked of deserving better wages and benefits, few criticized the company or its executives directly.

Horns honked with every car and truck that passed, it seemedall night. People streamed in and out of the UAW Local 900 union hall across the street from the factory that builds the Bronco SUV and Ranger pickup.

"This is what it's gonna take to get to where we need to be," said Dwayne Walker, 60, of Westland, president of UAW Local 900. "Now is our time. If not now, when?"

7:50 a.m.: Gary Peters to join UAW picket line

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, was expected to join picketers at Michigan Assembly in Wayne around 8:15 a.m. Friday morning.

"Peters stands in solidarity with UAW members as they strike to fight for a contract that gives them the wages, job security, and benefits they deserve," a news release said.

1:13 a.m.: Shawn Fain thanks a sea of people in red union shirts: 'I work for you'

Parking lots across the street from Michigan Assembly in Wayne rapidly filled as UAW members arrived cheering and chanting and singing and shouting. They carried signs and created a sea of red in their union shirts. Cars and trucks honked while passing.

UAW President Shawn Fain stayed well past 1 a.m. thanking members for their solidarity and commitment. "I work for you," he said again and again to crowds that swarmed him. 

With no pathway to a permanent spot, mother of 7 says job is 'hell'

Leticia Lopez, 38, of Toledo, has been a supplemental worker at the Toledo Assembly Complex for four years. Before that, she’d been a supplemental worker for 3.5 years at General Motors.

She works in pre-engine and transmission load at the plant.

Early Friday morning, she stood outside her plant cheering.

She’s been waiting, she said, for this moment. Working as a supplemental worker at the plant is more than difficult.

“It’s hell,” Lopez said.

During the pandemic, when others stayed home if they needed to, supplemental workers “were stuck in here,” she said, pointing to the plant.

The mother of seven said she stays at her job for the health care, which is free, but it doesn’t come with dental or vision coverage. Her current pay is $17 an hour and she said there’s no pathway to a permanent spot.

Lopez, who said she’s one of 1,400 supplemental workers at the plant, is on board with the union’s strike strategy.

“It’s genius,” she said. “Our president got the message. He’s hitting them hard.”

Retiree: Workers can't afford the cars they're making

Dwayne Walker, 60, president of UAW Local 900, stood at the picket line in Wayne early Friday. Local 900 has about 5,500 members, he said, 4,000 of whom are now on strike at Michigan Assembly.

“Our motive is not a labor strike,” Walker said. “We’re trying to accomplish some things.”

Some of the handmade signs on display at Michigan Assembly: “Detroit is a union town,” “32 hours work for 40 hours pay!” and “Get wise, organize.”

Not long after midnight, members in Wayne began to chant, “Mighty, mighty union, autoworker’s union.”

Standing on the picket line was Virginia Williams, a retired Wayne assembly worker. The 65-year-old worked as a laborer for 28 years and is now chair pro tem of the Romulus City Council. Williams retired 10 years ago, but has three children and a grandson working at Ford.

“We can’t have workers making cars they can’t afford to buy,” she said. “It makes them feel angry.”

Amid honks and cheers, fellow autoworkers support Toledo strikers

Dawnya Ferdinandsen, 54, of Sandusky, Ohio, stood outside the Toledo Assembly Complex cheering on the cars and trucks as they honked and sped by.

“Blow that horn, that’s it,” she said.

Ferdinandsen works at the General Motors Propulsion plant in Toledo but was outside the Stellantis plant, which produces Wranglers and Gladiators, after the strike was called.

“They supported us when we went out. I’m here to support them,” she said, referencing the 2019 strike against General Motors when workers from Ford and Stellantis, then Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, would come join the picketers outside the GM plants during their free time.

Ferdinandsen is excited by the tone she’s heard from the UAW’s leadership, although she does hope for a quick strike.

“It’s refreshing,” she said. “(Fain’s) leading us in the right direction.”

'It’s time to give us rightfully what’s ours'

Some of the striking workers in Wayne said they are concerned about paying for medical bills to address maladies they’ve accumulated from working such an active job.

“Plants put your body in shambles and the money they give you for retirement doesn’t go to cover the medical bills and it puts you in debt,” said Dino DeBlair, 57, of Carleton, an upfitter who adheres stickers to cars and has worked at Ford for 28 years.

DeBlair said benefits have dwindled and wages have remained stagnant for years.

Charmaine Sanderfield, 34, of Canton, has been an assembly worker at the plant in Wayne for 3.5 years. She said “record-breaking” profits should benefit workers, too.

“It’s been a long time coming: It’s time to give us rightfully what’s ours,” she said.  “People break their backs, their hands, their arms and spend time away from their families to build these vehicles.”

UAW President Shawn Fain speaks to the media outside Ford Michigan Assembly Plant (Final Assembly and Paint only) in Wayne on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 after contract negotiations stalled with all three Detroit automakers and UAW members walked off the job at the Ford plant along with plants in Ohio and Missouri.

Crowd to Shawn Fain who joined them in Wayne: 'We love you, Shawn'

Outside Michigan Assembly in Wayne, the striking workers carried signs reading, “UAW on Strike” and others with the phrase, “Saving the American Dream.”

UAW President Shawn Fain arrived after the midnight deadline to an animated crowd of people, who quickly surrounded him and cheered. One man standing among the crowd remarked that even at 6 foot, 4 inches, he couldn’t see Fain in the crush of people surrounding the union leader.

Members shouted, “We love you, Shawn, we love you.”

Retirees, other supporters join those on strike: 'We just want what's fair'

Along Michigan Avenue, standing outside the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant, UAW autoworkers were joined by retired autoworkers, members of other unions who came to support the UAW and politicians including U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit).

“We’re at a crossroads,” Dingell said, standing outside of the UAW Local 900’s union hall across from the plant in Wayne. Dingell was dressed head-to-toe in red, matching colors with many of those flanking Michigan Avenue. “These negotiations are the most important ones I’ve witnessed in my life and people need to understand why the workers care about this. … This isn’t talking points. This is where the rubber hits the road.”

Joel Ventimeglia, 46, of St. Clair Shores, said he inspects Bronco and Ranger vehicles on the line, and has worked for Ford at Michigan Assembly for 11 years.

“We gave up a lot a long time ago,” he said. “We just want what’s fair.”

Slotkin: Companies need to ‘do right’ by workers

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, said she backs the UAW workers who are "fighting to make sure a hard day’s work means a good life for you and your family. For the last two years, we’ve passed bills to incentivize American manufacturing and bring supply chains home from places like China. But the companies that benefit from these policies need to do right by the workers who make their success possible."

Slotkin said she will join auto workers on the picket line this weekend, but hopes the strike is short and the parties can continue to negotiate to reach an agreement quickly.

Tate urges swift resolution

State Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit and speaker of the House, issued this statement early Friday:

“Workers are the backbone of the American auto industry, and organized labor is a part of our state’s enduring legacy. Decades of hard work and leadership by unions forged a path to help ensure safe workplaces, competitive wages, and the ability to raise and support a family. They helped make the American dream a reality for generations of Michiganders.

“Michigan’s economy benefits when workers and industry negotiate together, in good faith, to reach consensus. Support for Michigan workers is a top priority for House Democrats, and our legislative accomplishments and agenda are a reflection of our commitment to help build a strong workforce and a thriving economy.

“I encourage a swift resolution to this impasse that delivers a fair contract to the UAW and maintains a competitive edge for the Big Three. The auto industry is Michigan’s legacy and its future, and there is surely a path forward that ensures our workers and our economy can continue to thrive.”

The Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio just before the contract deadline for contract negotiations between the UAW and the Detroit Three on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

At Toledo Assembly, worker brings fire wood to help picketers 'stay warm'

A man with a white GMC pickup parked his truck on the grass outside a gate to the Toledo Assembly Complex. The truck was loaded with firewood for the burn barrel that was just bursting to flame. He didn’t want to give his name but said he works mornings at the plant building Jeeps at this late hour just before midnight.

“I’m just trying to make sure people stay warm,” he said.

Shortly thereafter a different man driving a Gladiator stopped and asked if anyone needed firewood.

As the deadline passed, cheering could be heard from inside the gates. Cars and trucks streamed out and honking horns provided the soundtrack.

Stellantis: 'Extremely disappointed' by the UAW leadership

Jodi Tinson, Stellantis spokesperson, shared this statement from the automaker:

"We are extremely disappointed by the UAW leadership's refusal to engage in a responsible manner to reach a fair agreement in the best interest of our employees, their families and our customers. We immediately put the Company in contingency mode and will take all the appropriate structural decisions to protect our North American operations and the Company."

Michigan Assembly workers told the Free Press that the automaker released employees hours before the shift was scheduled to end. Parking lots were emptying out by 11:20 p.m. as hundreds of people walked and drove to the union hall down the street. Already picketers had gathered on Michigan Avenue outside the plant. Massive crowds arriving.  

Staff writers Todd Spangler and Lily Altavena contributed to this report.