What employers can learn from the UAW and Big Three strike

In mid-September, the United Auto Workers (UAW), which represents nearly 150,000 auto workers, began targeted strikes at certain factories and warehouses around the country run by Ford, GM, and Stellantis NV (formerly Chrysler), the “Big Three” automakers. Although auto strikes against the Big Three aren’t unprecedented, this recent strike had two novel aspects. First, it was a partial strike that started at only three plants, idling just over 13,000 workers. The UAW gradually expanded the strike to other plants over time to ratchet up the pressure. Second, the strikers were employed by each of the Big Three instead of one automaker at a time being targeted. After six contentious weeks, the UAW and the Big Three reached a deal, and employees went back to work. What are the details, and what can other employers learn from this strike? Read on to find out.

What’s the deal?

The UAW struck deals with all three companies to put an end to its unprecedented strike, and the publicly reported terms of the agreements were extremely favorable to the union.