As talks continue, UAW wins pay rise for striking workers
Two strikers walk the picket line outside General Motors Orion Assembly.
United Auto Workers said on Saturday it’s increasing strike pay for workers picketing at General Motors as the walkout by more than 49,000 employees nears the four-week mark.
The union said on Saturday that weekly pay will rise to US$275 from US$250 for members on strike, effective from Sunday.
It moves up the timing of a US$25 weekly raise that had been planned to go into effect on January 1.
The union also voted to allow members to take part-time jobs and continue to receive strike pay, as long as they perform their picket duty.
The moves came as UAW and General Motors continued contract talks on Saturday, a day after the union made a counterproposal to management.
Both sides discussed the issues that include wages, job security and investment in US plants.
Earlier in the week, the union and GM blamed each other for not making more progress toward an agreement on a new contract. GM CEO Mary Barra stepped into the talks on Wednesday, asking the union to wrap up outstanding issues and respond to a company offer made on Monday.
The strike began on September 16 and shut down GM’s factories in the US. Factories in Canada and Mexico were later forced to close due to a lack of parts.
The strike has passed the point where GM can make up lost production, according to auto industry analysts. Workers, meanwhile, have been depending on their strike pay rather than their full pay from GM of about US$1,200 per week before deductions.
