On September 15, 2023, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union initiated a coordinated strike against the “Big Three” U.S. automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis — marking a significant escalation in labor tensions and a pivotal moment in the American auto industry. This was the first time in UAW history that the union struck all three companies simultaneously, reflecting a bold new strategy aimed at securing better wages, benefits, and job protections for union members.
Background to the Strike
The strike came after months of negotiations between the UAW and the automakers failed to produce a new labor agreement before the contract expiration deadline at midnight on September 14. UAW President Shawn Fain, who had taken office earlier in 2023, adopted a more confrontational and transparent approach to bargaining, rallying members around a platform of aggressive demands and challenging long-standing concessions made during previous contract cycles.
Key union demands included:
- Significant wage increases, including a 40% raise over four years.
- Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to combat inflation.
- Shortening the workweek to 32 hours with 40 hours of pay.
- Improved retirement benefits, including pensions for all members.
- Stronger job security, particularly as automakers transition to electric vehicle (EV) production.
The automakers pushed back, arguing that while they were willing to increase compensation, the union’s demands would impose unsustainable costs, especially amid the industry’s expensive shift to EVs.
Strategic Strike Approach
Unlike previous strikes that focused on a single company, the UAW employed a “stand-up strike” strategy, targeting select plants from each automaker rather than shutting down all operations at once. This rolling strike approach allowed the union to escalate pressure gradually while conserving its strike fund and maximizing its leverage.
Initial strike locations included:
- A Ford assembly plant in Michigan.
- A GM plant in Missouri.
- A Stellantis facility in Ohio.
This approach allowed the union to maintain flexibility and expand the strike incrementally if negotiations continued to stall, keeping all three companies on alert and under continuous economic and public pressure.
Economic and Industry Impact
The strike had immediate ripple effects across the industry. Production delays, halted shipments, and disrupted supply chains began to impact not only the automakers but also their suppliers, dealerships, and the broader manufacturing ecosystem. Analysts warned that a prolonged strike could cost the companies billions and potentially disrupt the broader U.S. economy, especially if more plants were brought into the labor action.
The timing of the strike was particularly sensitive, as automakers were navigating a transformative shift toward electric vehicles — a transition requiring massive investment and workforce adjustments. The UAW has voiced concerns that the EV shift could lead to fewer jobs and lower wages if automakers outsource more work to non-union or international factories.
Political and Public Response
The strike drew national attention, with widespread media coverage and growing public interest. President Joe Biden expressed support for the workers, stating that they deserved a fair share of the record profits the automakers had been reporting in recent years. His administration dispatched Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and White House adviser Gene Sperling to assist with negotiations and encourage a resolution.
Public sentiment largely favored the workers, especially amid broader discussions about labor rights, corporate profits, and economic inequality. The strike occurred amid a surge in labor activism across various sectors, including Hollywood writers and actors, healthcare workers, and delivery drivers — signaling a broader worker-driven movement for better wages and conditions in a post-pandemic economy.
Looking Ahead
The UAW strike that began on September 15, 2023, represented a watershed moment in U.S. labor relations and a critical test for the auto industry. As negotiations continued, both sides faced mounting pressure to reach an agreement that balances fair compensation for workers with the need for innovation and competitiveness in a rapidly changing industry.
For the UAW, the strike was about more than wages — it was about asserting the union’s relevance in a new era of automotive production and ensuring that workers are not left behind in the shift toward electrification and automation. For the automakers, the strike posed a major challenge to maintaining profitability and adapting to global market demands while avoiding reputational damage and prolonged disruptions.
As the strike entered its next phases, the entire nation — and much of the global auto industry — watched closely, knowing the outcome would set the tone for labor negotiations and corporate accountability for years to come.
