UAW Authorizes Strikes During Negotiations

United Auto Worker members voted to give union leaders authorization to strike during contract negotiations with automakers.

Sept. 4, 2019

Sept. 4, 2019—United Auto Workers (UAW) voted to let union leaders authorize strikes against General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler during contract negotiations, reported CNBC.

Roughly 96 percent of members at each of the automakers supported the action. The “strike authorization vote” is part of the union’s constitution and viewed as a rudimentary step in the negotiations. The voting results are historically almost unanimous in support of the authorization. The vote does not mean there will or will not be a strike.

General Motors will lead the negotiations and is expected to have the toughest negotiations with the union. The automaker plans to potentially close four U.S. facilities. The closures could impact roughly 14,000 jobs.