UAW Launches Historic Strike Against Big Three Automakers, Impacting U.S. Auto Industry

At midnight on Thursday, the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) launched a strike against the Big Three automakers, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This is the first time in history that all three automakers have been struck at the same time.

UAW President Shawn Fain said the strike was necessary to achieve economic justice for the union’s members. He told NBC News that it was a shame that negotiations had broken down, but that the union was determined to fight for the rights of its members.

Stellantis, one of the automakers affected by the strike, expressed its disappointment in the UAW’s decision. In a statement, the company said it was “extremely disappointed” by the UAW’s refusal to reach a fair agreement.

The UAW is utilizing a stand up strike strategy, in which employees at a small number of factories have walked off the job. The union has a strike fund of $825 million, from which employees will receive about $500 a week.

The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the U.S. auto industry, with some estimates predicting it could cost the automakers up to $2 billion a day. It is unclear how long the strike will last, but the UAW and the automakers will continue to negotiate in an effort to reach an agreement.