UAW President Shawn Fain speaks to union members during a “Solidarity Sunday” rally on August 20, 2023 in Warren, Michigan.
Michael Wayland/CNBC
DETROIT – United Auto Workers has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against automakers General Motors and Stellantis for failing to negotiate with the union in good faith or in a timely manner, UAW President Shawn Fain said Thursday evening.
The documents filed Thursday were a result of the companies not responding to the union’s demands in a timely manner, Fain said. The union did not file a grievance against Ford Motor because Fain said the company responded to the UAW’s demands with a counterproposal, which he strongly criticized.
“GM and Stellantis’ willful refusal to negotiate in good faith is not only insulting and counterproductive, but also illegal,” Fain said during a Facebook Live. “That’s why today our union filed charges of unfair labor practices (ULPs) against both GM and Stellantis with the National Labor Relations Board.”
GM did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The union and NLRB also did not immediately respond to further details about the filing.
Stellantis said it had not yet received the NLRB complaint but “is shocked by Mr. Fain’s allegations that we did not negotiate in good faith.”
“This is an allegation that has no basis in fact, and we are disappointed to learn that Mr. Fain is more focused on filing frivolous lawsuits than on actual negotiations,” the company said in an emailed statement. “We will vigorously defend this allegation in due course, but for now we are more focused on continuing to negotiate a new agreement in good faith. We will not allow Mr. Fain’s tactics to distract us from this important work to secure the future for our people.”
Fain described Ford’s latest proposal as “concessional.” He said that included a 9% wage increase over the four-year term of the contract; one-time flat-rate bonuses; and unlimited use of temporary workers who are paid less and do not receive the same benefits. The company also rejected “all” of the union’s job security proposals and “quality of life proposals” such as additional paid vacation and a shorter work week, Fain said.
“Ford’s wage proposals not only failed to meet our needs, they insult our worth,” Fain said.
In response to the comments, Ford released a lengthy statement from Ford CEO Jim Farley and additional details of its proposal compared to previous negotiations four years ago, including guaranteed combined wage increases of 15% and flat payments.
“This would be an important deal for our employees and would enable the continuation of Ford’s unique position as the most American automaker – and give us the flexibility we need within our manufacturing base to respond to customer demand as the industry changes.” Farley said in the publicly released statement. “This offer would also allow Ford to compete, invest in new products, grow and share that future success with our employees through profit sharing.”
Ford noted that his proposal calls for a six-year training period for top wages, compared to eight years; “Cost of living” bonuses of $12,000 over the term of the contract; ratification bonuses of $5,500; 25% increase in base wage for temporary workers and other improvements over the last contract, but not in line with the union’s previous demands.
The union’s demands included a 46% wage increase, the restoration of traditional pensions, a cost of living increase, a reduction in the working week from 40 to 32 hours and an increase in pension benefits.
Here are more details Ford released about its latest proposal: