Auto workers' strike has become the lengthiest in a quarter of a century

Historic UAW Strike Becomes Longest in Decades

A picket line formed outside the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant on Monday as UAW members at the facility joined the ongoing strike. This labor action has now become the most prolonged auto industry strike in the United States since 1998. - Emily Elconin/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Strike Reaches 41 Days, Surpassing Recent Records

By Wednesday, the United Auto Workers' strike against General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis had reached its 41st day, making it the lengthiest American auto strike in a quarter-century. The previous major walkout, a 2019 strike at GM, lasted 40 days.

The current strike, which began on September 15, could continue at the other two automakers even as one company negotiates a tentative agreement, since that deal must be approved by union members before taking effect.

First Simultaneous Walkout at All Three Automakers

This is the first time the UAW has called a strike at all three Detroit automakers at once. Rather than shutting down all operations immediately, the union opted for a strategic approach, targeting specific plants and facilities to disrupt production and increase pressure on the companies.

Strike Expansion and Impact

The strike initially targeted one assembly plant at each automaker but has since expanded five times. Recent additions include the Stellantis assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and a GM facility in Arlington, Texas—both among the companies' largest and most profitable plants. Ford’s biggest site, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, has been on strike since October 11.

With these major plants now idled, nearly half of the combined U.S. production capacity of the three automakers has been halted, according to GlobalData.

• GM plants affected by the strike typically produce about 3,415 vehicles daily, representing 51% of its U.S. output.
• Ford’s production has dropped by 3,050 vehicles a day, or 56% of its output.
• Stellantis has seen a daily reduction of 2,165 vehicles.

Despite only 45,000 UAW members—about 31% of the union’s 145,000 workers at the three companies—participating in the strike, the impact has been significant. An additional 7,000 workers, roughly 5% of the membership, have been temporarily laid off due to the disruptions.

Negotiations and Future Prospects

The union has warned it may broaden the strike further if negotiations stall. All three automakers have proposed wage increases totaling 23% over the life of the contract, including an immediate 10% raise, cost-of-living adjustments, enhanced job security, and increased retirement contributions.

Even if a tentative agreement is reached soon, it must be ratified by union members—a process that took 10 days in 2019. Historically, the union has sometimes remained on strike during this ratification period.

Ongoing Talks and Company Responses

Both the automakers and the union have publicly stated their desire to resolve the dispute. The most recent escalation of the strike occurred shortly after GM announced stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, despite incurring a $200 million loss from the strike in the final two weeks of the quarter. The UAW referenced these robust financial results as justification for seeking greater concessions from GM.

Ford is set to release its third-quarter earnings after 4 p.m. on Thursday, with expectations of improved results. While the union has not indicated whether it will expand the strike at Ford if the company reports strong earnings, it maintains that all three automakers should offer more, even as company leaders claim they have reached their financial limits.