Both GM and Stellantis refuted the allegations of unfair labour practices.
Ford Motor said it proposed a 9% wage rise through 2027, far less than the union’s demand for a 46% wage increase.
According to both charges obtained by Reuters, the automakers have refused to bargain in good faith about pay and benefits for the past six months.
In an online statement, UAW President Shawn Fain stated that the two parties are at odds.
“We’re going to fight like hell to get our equitable share of justice for workers,” he stated. “We can get there – but these companies better buckle down and they better get serious.”
Fain stated that the Detroit automakers desire the option to close US auto facilities and relocate them to low-wage countries and that threats to close US plants are “economic terrorism.”
Ford stated that their “generous offer” will provide hourly workers with 15% guaranteed combined wage increases and lump amounts, as well as increased benefits.
“Overall, this offer is significantly better than what we estimate workers earn at Tesla and foreign automakers operating in the U.S.,” Ford said.
The union’s demands include a 20% immediate wage raise, defined-benefit pensions for all employees, shorter work weeks, and cost-of-living increases.
The current four-year labour agreements covering 146,000 Detroit Three employees expire on September 14.
Neither GM nor Stellantis, according to Fain, have offered counter-offers.
Stellantis stated that the UAW’s assertions that “we have not bargained in good faith” startled him, “This is a claim with no basis in fact.” Stellantis also expressed dissatisfaction that Fain “is more focused on filing frivolous legal charges than on actual bargaining.”
GM Manufacturing Chief Gerald Johnson firmly denied the unfair labour charge. “We believe it has no merit and is an insult to the bargaining committees. We have been hyper-focused on negotiating directly and in good faith with the UAW and are making progress,” Johnson said.
The UAW announced last week that around 97% of members voted in favour of authorising a strike if an agreement is not reached by September 14.
The UAW also wants all temporary workers at US automakers to be made permanent, as well as increased profit sharing and paid time off, as well as the reinstatement of retiree health-care benefits and cost-of-living adjustments.
According to the UAW, Ford wants no cap on temporary workers, who would not be eligible for profit sharing, would earn less than 60% of the top salary rate for permanent workers, and would receive worse healthcare coverage.
Ford said it will increase starting compensation for temporary workers by 20% to $20 per hour and offer permanent staff $12,000 in cost-of-living increases over the course of the contract.
Ford claims that approximately 2-3% of its hourly labour is temporary, the lowest among the Detroit Three.
The UAW claimed that Ford’s profit-sharing formula adjustment would have reduced payouts by 21% over the last two years, whereas Ford announced a $5,500 signing bonus for permanent and temporary employees upon contract ratification.