UAW strike: Shawn Fain calls for 38 parts distribution plants to join in latest update. What we know.
The United Auto Workers union is looking to step up the pressure on the Detroit Three. Which means a potential 38 General Motors and Stellanis plants could go on strike by noon Friday.
On Friday morning, UAW Union President Shawn Fain called for parts distribution plants belonging to GM and Stellanis across 20 states, including one site in Tennessee, to head for the picket lines as negotiations between the union and the two companies have yet to make any headway. No new Ford plants were added to the list of plants on strike due to breakthroughs in contract negotiations with the car company.
"At noon eastern time today, all parts distribution centers at GM and Stellantis will be on strike. We will be everywhere from California to Massachusetts and we will keep going and keep expanding the Stand Up Strike as necessary,” Fain said in his announcement.
In Tennessee, the Spring Hill GM plant was not on the list of plants going on strike, but rather a GM parts distribution plant in Memphis was called to join the ranks of red on the picket line.
"Spring Hill I know you are ready to go," Fain said at the end of his announcement and encouraged union members at Spring Hill and several other plants to stand by.
With the potential number of plants that could go on strike, the effects in the automotive world could be felt sooner rather than later.
Here's everything you need to know about the strike and how it affects things from car prices to the Spring Hill GM plant.
Facebook, YouTube Livestream: UAW Union President Shawn Fain announces which plants could strike next
Fain went on Facebook Live at 9 a.m. CT/10 a.m. ET to say which facilities owned by the Detroit Three automakers could be targeted next in the "Stand up Strike".
Watch it live below or on Facebook here.
What's happening now with the UAW Stand up Strike?
The "Stand Up Strike," as union leaders have called it, is set to potentially become one of the largest in the industry's history. So far, around 13,000 workers across three states have joined the picket line and more are on the way as a deal has yet to be struck between the union and General Motors, Ford and Stellanis ( Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands).
The "Stand up Strike" has now been going on for a week and it is set to grow on Friday to 38 plants.
With the addition of these union workers walking out, this has the potential to be one of the largest strikes in U.S. history.
To add to the strike, General Motors and Stellantis announced fresh layoffs Wednesday that the automotive giants blamed on damage from the UAW strike. The layoffs will be in Kansas, Ohio and Indiana.
Last week, President Joe Biden publicly backed the UAW and on Friday Fain invited Biden, and all other supporters, to join the picket lines.
"We invite and encourage everyone who supports our cause to join us on the picket line. From our friends and families all the way up to the president of the United States, we invite you to join us in our fight," Fain said.
Where are UAW union workers on strike?
During Friday morning's live stream, Fain called for 38 parts distribution plants around the country to strike starting at noon on Friday including GM's Memphis AC Delco Parts Distribution Plant.
The 38 GM and Stellanis plants are scattered across 21 states. Fain cited headway at the negotiation table with Ford as a reason plants with the company were excluded.
The original three sites where union members stepped out of production facilities will continue in the strike. The three original plants represent each company and include:
Ford Michigan Assembly Plant (Final Assembly and Paint only) in Michigan
Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio
GM's Wentzville Assembly in Missouri
Which UAW plants are now going on strike?
The following additional GM sites are expected to go on strike Friday.
Pontiac Redistribution, 1251 Joslyn in Pontiac, Michigan
Willow Run Redistribution, 50000 Ecorse Rd. in Belleville, Michigan
Ypsilanti Processing Center, 2625 Tyler Rd. in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Davison Rd. Processing Center, 4420 DavisonRd. in Burton, Michigan
Flint Processing Center, 6060 W. Bristol Rd. in Swartz Creek, Michigan
Lansing Redistribution, 4400 W. Mount Hope Rd. in Lansing, Michigan
Cincinnati Parts Distribution, 8752 Jacquemin Dr. in West Chester, Ohio
Denver Parts Distribution, 23400 E. Smith Rd. in Aurora, Colorado
Hudson Parts Distribution, 2200 Willis Miller Dr. in Hudson, Wisconsin
Chicago Parts Distribution, 1355 Remington Blvd. in Bolingbrook, Illinois
Reno Parts Distribution Center, 6565 Echo Ave. in Reno, Nevada
Rancho Cucamonga Parts Distribution, 9150 Hermosa Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga, California
Fort Worth Parts Distribution, 301 Freedom Dr. in Roanoke, Texas
Martinsburg Parts Distribution, 608 Caperton Blvd. in Martinsburg, West Virginia
Jackson Parts Distribution, 1500 Marquette Road in Brandon, Mississippi
Charlotte Parts Distribution, 10815 Quality Dr. in Charlotte, North Carolina
Memphis AC Delco Parts Distribution, 5115 Pleasant Hill Road in Memphis, Tennessee
Philadelphia Parts Distribution, 200 Cabot Blvd. E. in Lang Horne, Pennsylvania
Additional Stellantis locations going on strike
Marysville, 840 E. Huron Blvd. in Marysville, Michigan
Centerline Packaging, 26311 Lawrence in Center Line, Michigan
Centerline Warehouse, 26311 Lawrence in Center Line, Michigan
Sherwood, 21555 Sherwood Ave. in Warren, Michigan
Warren Parts, 21035 Sherwood in Warren, Michigan
QEC, 2021 Executive Hills Blvd. in Auburn Hills, Michigan
Romulus, 16950 Pine in Romulus, Michigan
Cleveland, 9777 Mopar Dr. in Streetsboro, Ohio
Milwaukee, 3280 S. Clement Ave. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Minneapolis, 13005 Hwy 55 in Plymouth, Minnesota
Denver, 10728 Troy St. in Commerce City, Colorado
Chicago, 1980 High Grove Lane in Naperville, Illinois
Los Angeles, 5141 Santa Ana St. in Ontario, California
Portland, 10030 SW Allen Blvd. in Beaverton, Oregon
Atlanta, 1149 Citizens Parkway, Morrow, Georgia
Winchester, 80 Tyson Dr. Winchester, Virginia
Orlando, 10300 Boggy Creek Rd. in Orlando, Florida
Dallas, 2205 E. Belt Line Rd. in Carrollton, Texas
New York, 108 NY 303 in Tappan, New York
Boston, 550 Forbes Blvd. in Mansfield, Massachusetts
Why did the 2023 UAW strike start?
The strike occurred after contract talks between the UAW and the Detroit Three automakers fell through. UAW called the strike when the deadline to make a new deal passed at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14. Around 13,000 union members in Ohio, Missouri and Michigan walked off the job and picket lines soon began forming.
The three plants were a start. If contract negotiations aren't settled more plants could be called to join the "Stand up Strike".
"Instead of striking all plants at once, select locals will be called on to 'Stand up' and walk out on strike," the union said on its website.
Why aren't Spring Hill workers part of the UAW strike?
The General Motors manufacturing plant in Spring Hill has not yet joined in the UAW strike and weren't called to join on Friday at noon. In his live stream announcement, Fain encouraged union members to be patient and recognized the Spring Hill was at the ready to join the picket lines.
On Sept. 14, the local UAW guild that represents Spring Hill workers said that it supports those striking and "stands ready for the call."
This isn't the first time that Spring Hill workers could potentially be called to strike. In September 2019, the UAW called a strike on GM plants after negotiations between the two fell through. At that time all of the workers at the plant went on strike.
The plant employs more than 3,700 workers.
What cars are manufactured at the Spring Hill General Motors plant?
The assembly plant builds three types of Cadillac SUVs and the GMC Acadia.
Cars that will be affected if Spring Hill strikes include the following: Cadillac: XT5, XT6, and the all-electric LYRIQGMC: Acadia.
How will the 2023 UAW strike affect car prices?
Car buyers may get even more sticker shock at the dealership as the UAW strike continues.
Between an already short supply of some vehicles and the dwindling numbers of vehicles being produced by the Detroit Three as walkouts continue, consumers could bear the brunt of it with rising prices.
Before the strike manufacturers were stocking up on cars to keep lots full, but the longer the strike – and if more plants go on strike – dealerships will soon start looking a bit sparse and there is also the worry of panic buying among consumers.
Effect on auto suppliers: Amid UAW strike, GM electric battery supplier announces raises for hourly workers
“The impact on prices would be almost instantaneous,” Garrett Nelson, and auto analyst for CFRA Research, says. “Dealers will say, ‘Look, we’re not sure how many additional vehicles we’re going to be getting.’ There could be somewhat of a panic effect that could stimulate consumers to make that purchase sooner rather than later.”
Long before the possibility of a strike car prices were rising. A chip shortage, disruptions in the global supply chain and strong demand pushed prices higher.
The average price for a new vehicle jumped from $39,919 in 2020 to $48,798 so far this year, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Find out more here.
What are UAW contract demands?
UAW leader Shawn Fain revealed the list of demands on Aug. 1, including:
Eliminating wage tiers.
A 40% wage increase over the life of the contract. The 40% signifies the increase in CEO salaries.
Restoring the cost-of-living allowance adjustments to counteract inflation.
Defined benefit pension for all workers.
The right to strike over plant closures.
A reduced work week and more paid time off.
Limiting the use of temporary workers.
The UAW is also looking for companies to re-establish retiree medical benefits and increase pay.
"We owe our retirees everything," UAW said. "They built these companies and they built our union."
Ending the strike: Here is what Detroit automakers have to give the UAW to get a deal, experts say
What is the UAW?
The UAW represents workers across the industry, including multinational corporations, small manufacturers, state and local governments, colleges and universities, hospitals and private nonprofit organizations, according to their website.
The United Auto Workers is comprised of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America has 400,000 active members and more than 580,000 retired members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
There are around 600 local chapters.
USA Today and The Associated Press contributed to this report
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: UAW Strike update: Shawn Fain says which GM, Stellanis plants will join
