Strike vote underway for UAW members

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Voting began early Tuesday morning as UAW workers throughout the country decide whether to go on strike against the Big Three car manufacturers, Stellantis, Ford and General Motors.

The union wants pay increases and the elimination of the two-tiered wage system which pays new hires significantly less, along with a restoration of cost of living adjustments and pensions for all workers.

“Our members have a voice, and it’s the most important voice, so just because we negotiate a contract it’s up to our members to determine whether or not we want to strike, and nobody wants to strike, but it’s a necessary tool,” UAW Local 14 president Tony Totty said. “All we have is our labor and when we get a contract that we don’t feel is worthy of our labor, it’s a tool that we have that we don’t want to use, but we’re not afraid to use.”

The union contract expires September 14.

Results on the vote are expected Thursday.

The discussions between the Company and the UAW’s bargaining team continue to be constructive and collaborative with a focus on reaching a new agreement that balances the concerns of our 43,000 employees with our vision for the future – one that better positions the business to meet the challenges of the U.S. marketplace and secures the future for all of our employees, their families and our company.

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