Four thousand more UAW members go on strike after rejecting Mack Trucks offer

The United Auto Workers union strike just expanded by around 4,000 workers on Sunday night after they rejected an agreement between them and Mack Trucks.

A whopping 73% of union members voted no, instead opting to strike Monday morning by leaving their work facilities “in an orderly manner.” The UAW began work stoppages at selected plants in mid-September with the intent of targeting the three biggest automakers in Detroit, Michigan, which are Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.

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“I’m inspired to see UAW members at Mack holding out for a better deal, and ready to stand up and walk off the job to win it,” UAW President Shawn Fain wrote in a statement.

Fain reiterated that the UAW is committed to reaching a deal with automakers but noted that “clearly we are not there yet.” He stated that the union workers are seeking increased pay, healthcare, and multiple other demands and that the UAW is “confident” it can eventually come to an agreement.

The UAW’s strike has been ongoing since Sept. 15, with Fain stating on Friday that “significant progress” had been made in talks with the “Big Three” automakers. Specifically, he stated that GM had agreed to put workers at electric vehicle battery plants under the union’s national agreement and that Ford had agreed to 23% wage hikes for workers.

Fain also vowed that the strikes will continue until the union is satisfied that its members are getting a fair contract.

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“It’s not about theatrics,” Fain said. “It’s about power. The power we have as working-class people. We’ve shown the Big Three that we’re not afraid to use it. And we’ve shown the Big Three that we are ready for a record contract when they are.”

As of Friday, almost 1,800 UAW workers have been laid off from their job, with the most recent round of layoffs coming from Ford. A majority of the 495 layoffs were made at the Cleveland Engine Plant in Ohio, where 371 people worked; another 94 employees were laid off from the Lima Engine Plant in Ohio, and 25 employees were laid off from the Sterling Axle Plant from Thursday through Monday.