UAW Strike Looms Over Big Three Automakers Ahead of Thursday Night Deadline

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has been locked in difficult negotiations with America's Big Three for some time. The automakers have thus far declined to meet the union's demands for pay increases and improved conditions for workers. As the union's deadline approaches, it has announced plans for an unprecedented strike against all members of the Big Three at the same time.

The UAW released a video across social media on Wednesday evening, laying out plans for the «Stand-Up Strike.» The video lays out plans for a strike covering Ford, GM, and Stellantis, that «starts small and builds over time.» The UAW intends to ask various local unions to walk out on strike over time, aiming to keep the companies in the dark as to which unions will walk out, and when. The name of the effort references the wide-ranging «Sit-Down Strikes» of 1937, a landmark event that won better pay and conditions for workers, and helped catalyze the unionization of America's auto industry.

The announcement video does not outline specific plans for strike action, merely citing the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on September 14 that the UAW has outlined previously. As covered by ABC News, UAW President Shawn Fain stated plans to announce which local unions will be initially asked to strike via a Facebook Live broadcast at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday night. If the strikes go ahead, it will be an unprecedented move from the UAW. «For the first time in our history, we may strike all three of the Big Three at once,» said Fain.

Ultimately, Fain says the union's desire is not to strike. «Our goal is to bargain a fair contract,» he says. Regardless, he notes that the union is willing to do what it takes to achieve a fair outcome for workers. Key to the union's demands are greater pay rises and a reduction to ramp-up periods for new workers to reach full rates of pay.

In an FAQ on the strike published online, the union notes that it retains the option to call for a strike at every UAW facility across the Big Three. The UAW highlights the desire to maintain flexibility to escalate the strike as needed if automakers don't negotiate an appropriate contract. In the meantime, UAW members at facilities