The United Auto Workers strike is set to expand to over 25,000 workers as the mass walkout against Detroit’s ‘Big Three’ automakers stretches into its third week.
Striking workers will add a Ford plant in Chicago and a General Motors plant in Michigan to the action, with further strikes already underway also hitting Stellantis.
UAW President Shawn Fain announced the escalation of the strikes on Friday, two days after former President Donald Trump opted to speak with the protestors rather than attend the second Republican presidential debate.
President Biden made history as the first sitting president to join a picket line – albeit for only 12 minutes – the day prior, as the 18,000 plus factory workers already striking were given a boost to their demands for increased pay.
Fain called on 7,000 workers to join the struggle, as he cited the historic visit from Biden while insisting that ‘America has our backs.’
Workers have been on strike at three factories: A Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio; a Ford plant in Detroit that produces Bronco SUVs and Rangers; and a GM plant in Missouri. The crippling factory walkouts have also been bolstered by picket lines at 38 parts distribution centers across 20 states.
h/t Coastie Patriot