UAW President Shawn Fain joins union members at a rally on the UAW Local 551 corridor on the South Side in Chicago on Oct. 7, 2023. Fain stated on Friday the union will now be able to develop its strike at any time, calling it a “new phase” in its battle in opposition to the Big Three automakers.

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Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

UAW President Shawn Fain joins union members at a rally on the UAW Local 551 corridor on the South Side in Chicago on Oct. 7, 2023. Fain stated on Friday the union will now be able to develop its strike at any time, calling it a “new phase” in its battle in opposition to the Big Three automakers.

Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain stated on Friday the union wouldn’t develop the strike instantly in opposition to the Big Three automakers, however left open the chance that it might accomplish that at any time.

Fain, in a Facebook Live look, known as this a “new phase” within the union’s battle in opposition to General Motors, Ford and Stellantis because the strike enters its fifth week.

Fain had beforehand used his Facebook Live shows to announce strike plans, however the UAW modified techniques earlier this week when the union known as on 8,700 staff at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant to stroll off the job after Ford declined to supply a greater contract.

“We’re not sticking to one pattern, or one system of giving these companies an extra hour or an extra day,” stated Fain stated on Friday morning. “They know what needs to happen, and they know how to get it done.”

No deal in sight but

Fain’s remarks come because the union and the Big Three automakers nonetheless seem at loggerheads over a brand new contract.

The UAW has made clear that the automakers’ provides nonetheless fall in need of the union’s calls for.

Ford, GM and Stellantis have all stated they’ve already put report provides on the desk that embrace wage will increase of greater than 20% over 4 years, the return of price of residing allowances, a quicker development to the highest wage, extra paid holidays and extra.

Other sticking factors stay, together with retirement safety and whether or not there shall be union jobs at electrical car battery vegetation.

Ford reacted angrily to the UAW’s sudden determination this week to strike at its Louisville plant.

In a media name on Thursday, Ford stated it had reached an financial ceiling on what it may well supply, though the automaker stated it was keen to regulate parts of its supply.

“On the economics, I would say, yes, we’re pretty much — we have reached our limit,” stated Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, the automaker’s inner combustion and hybrid division.

“We have to set a very clear limit beyond which it starts to hurt our business and starts to hurt our future, and that is not good for anybody.”