UAW/Big Three Talks Focus on Profits, Costs, and Two-Tier Wage Structure
GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler union contracts expire in two months.
The United Auto Workers opened contract talks with General Motors Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles this week. Negotiations with Ford Motor Co. begin next week.
The automakers are seeking lower labor costs, which are up to $9 an hour higher than their non-union competitors pay. Union negotiators want to end a two-tiered wage system that pays less-experienced workers lower wages than those with more seniority.
Paul Eisenstein publishes thedetroitbureau.com. He tells WDET’s Pat Batcheller that the union and the Big Three have two months to reach agreement on new contracts. The existing agreements expire in September.
