Shawn Fain, president of United Auto Workers (UAW), denounced an agreement offered by Stellantis amidst ongoing contract negotiations between Detroit automakers and union representatives.
In its proposal, Stellantis sought terms that would award benefits and raises based on work attendance, increase healthcare and insurance payments for UAW members and remove limits to the number of supplemental employees Stellantis can hire. The automaker also proposed giving itself more authority to execute decisions without worker support to strengthen the transition to electric vehicles. Earlier, the company had said it would not seek “concessionary” agreements in its negotiations with the union, a promise that President Fain quickly pointed out its new offer seemed to contradict.
“Stellantis’ proposals are a slap in the face,” he commented during a Facebook live stream on Tuesday. “During COVID, UAW members were deemed essential. They risked their lives, and some gave up their lives to keep the lines running. So rather than honoring the sacrifices made by the employees, management chooses to spit in our faces.” Fain went on to place a copy of the agreement into a trash can, adding: “I’ll tell you what I want to do with their proposal. I’m going to file it in its proper place because that’s where it belongs: the trash because that’s what it is.”
The UAW is seeking a 46% raise for its members over the next four years, in addition to improved benefits and fewer working hours. Since negotiations started in July, both Fain and the Detroit Three automakers have gone public with their criticisms of the other’s demands. Should talks with Stellantis, Ford and General Motors fall through, the union is preparing itself for a September work strike.
