This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
Published on September 16, 2019, a nationwide strike by the United Auto Workers union against General Motors began on Monday, with 46,000 members walking off the job after contract talks hit an impasse.
The move to strike, described as the first major stoppage at GM in over a decade, came after the manufacturer's four-year contract with workers expired without an agreement on a replacement.
Local union leaders met in Detroit and opted to strike at midnight on Sunday, according to the UAW.
"This is our last resort," said Terry Dittes, the union's lead negotiator with GM, at a news conference after the meeting.
"We are standing up for the fundamental rights of working people in this country," Dittes added.
UAW officials said the two sides remained far apart in the contract negotiations, with disagreements on wages, health care benefits, the status of temporary workers, and job security.
"Our members have spoken; we have taken action; and this is a decision we did not make lightly," said Ted Krumm, chair of the UAW's national bargaining committee.
Hours before the strike began, US President Donald Trump tweeted: "Here we go again with General Motors and the United Auto Workers. Get together and make a deal!"
GM's last major strike was in 2007, when 73,000 workers at more than 89 facilities walked off the job for two days.
GM said it was "disappointing" that the UAW's leadership had decided to call the strike, saying it had presented a "strong offer" in contract negotiations.
UAW's leadership had previously won overwhelming approval from its rank-and-file for a strike if it became necessary.
