Two auto manufacturing plants in Colorado have been targeted by the United Auto Workers as part of the labor union’s larger national strike.
Workers have now walked off the job at the General Motors Denver Parts Distribution Center, located at 23400 E. Smith Road, a facility that produces more than 200,000 parts on a monthly basis.
The second Colorado job action is taking place at the Stellantis Distribution Center in Commerce City. That plant, located at 12225 E 39th Avenue, supports the company’s multi-brand manufacturing.
The UAW, with a total membership of more than 391,000 workers, announced on September 15 that it was calling a strike against the Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis, which, combined, employ around 145,000 workers.
The union said it was striking over what it says are stagnant wages that have failed to take into account the impact of inflation. The organization also wants to see a restoration of retirement benefits and overtime, two benefits that were discarded during the Great Recession.
Talks between the UAW and representatives of the auto plants began last spring but failed to resolve major issues. In a union-wide ballot on August 15, 97% of the members voted to go on strike.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who has said that the membership specifically wants a 20% immediate raise and gradual yearly, amounting to what will ultimately be an increase of 46%, recently remarked that the union’s action is an “act of faith” in its workers.
“Yes, these corporations are mountains,” Fain was quoted as remarking in the Financial Times, “but together we can make them move.”
In a press release, the UAW noted that while progress has been made in negotiations with Ford officials, “Stellantis, like General Motors, is refusing to make significant progress.” The statement added: “Our strategy is applying pressure where it is most needed.”
The UAW action has seen strikes at plants primarily located in the Midwest. Besides Colorado, the only states in the West thus far impacted have been Texas, with job actions at both a Ford and Stellantis plant; Nevada, at a General Motors facility; and two Stellantis plants in California and Oregon.
General Motors, in its latest statement, announced that while it was committed to ongoing bargaining, it also had “contingency plans for various scenarios” and was prepared to “do what is best for our business, our customers, and our dealers.”
By Garry Boulard
