Mansfield parts distribution center now part of expanded UAW strike against GM and Stellantis
MANSFIELD - The United Auto Workers expanded its historic strike against Detroit's Big Three automakers Friday to include General Motors and Stellantis parts distribution centers across 20 states, including Massachusetts.
UAW President Shawn Fain said workers at 38 GM and Stellantis facilities walked off the job at noon.
The Boston Parts Distribution Center in Mansfield is one of those facilities, according to CBS News Detroit.
"We're not going to wait around forever for a fair contract," Fain said. "The companies know how to make this right."
Fain said Friday that significant progress had been made during negotiations with Ford but not with GM and Stellantis.
With Ford, the UAW made progress with profit sharing, the right to strike over plant closures, income security, the immediate conversion of all temporary employees and more.
"Ford is showing they are serious about reaching a deal at Ford and GM, it's a different story," said Fain.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) stopped by to show her support to the striking workers in Mansfield Friday afternoon.
"It's gotten to a time when people are just fed up," said Justin Blanchard of Local 422.
Blanchard works at the Stellantis part distribution facility in Mansfield. They give out Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge parts to car dealer service departments. And when inventory runs out at dealerships, consumers with car trouble could be without fixes.
"They have no problem giving the CEOs $30 million a year, but heaven forbid they spread that wealth around, that money around with the people who make the company run," Blanchard said.
Union members looking for a more even split.
"Record times, record profits for these companies and we want our fair share of the profits," Blanchard said.
The union workers in Mansfield plan to picket 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Plants called to strike Friday
General Motors
- Pontiac Redistribution, Pontiac, Mich.
- Willow Run Redistribution, Belleville, Mich.
- Ypsilanti Processing Center, Ypsilanti, Mich.
- Davidson Road Processing Center, Burton, Mich.
- Flint Processing Center, Swartz Creek, Mich.
- Lansing Redistribution, Lansing, Mich.
- Cincinnati Parts Distribution Westchester, Ohio
- Denver Parts Distribution Aurora, Colo.
- Hudson Parts Distribution Hudson, Wis.
- Chicago Parts Distribution Bolingbrook, Ill
- Reno Parts Distribution Center, Reno, Nev.
- Rancho Cucamonga Parts, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
- Fort Worth Parts Distribution, Roanoke, Texas
- Martinsburg Parts Distribution, Martinsburg, W. Va.
- Jackson Parts Distribution, Brandon, Miss.
- Charlotte Parts Distribution, Charlotte N.C.
- Memphis AC Delco Parts Distribution, Memphis, Tenn.
- Philadelphia Parts Distribution, Lang Horne, Pa.
Stellantis Distribution Centers
- Marysville, Marysville, Mich.
- Center Line Packing, Center Line, Mich.
- Center Line Warehouse, Center Line, Mich.
- Sherwood, Warren, Mich.
- Warren Parts, Warren, Warren, Mich.
- Quality Engineering Center, Auburn Hills, Mich.
- Romulus, Romulus, Mich.
- Cleveland, Streetsboro, Ohio
- Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Minneapolis, Plymouth, Minn.
- Denver, Commerce City, Colo.
- Chicago, Naperville, Ill.
- Los Angeles, Ontario, Calif.
- Portland, Beaverton, Ore.
- Atlanta, Morrow, Ga.
- Winchester, Winchester, Va.
- Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
- Dallas, Carrollton, Texas
- New York, Tappan, N.Y.
- Boston, Mansfield, Mass.
Strikes come after UAW demands not met before contracts expired
This comes a week after UAW workers went on strike after demands were not met before contracts expired at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14.
Until this point, the strikes were limited to roughly 13,000 workers and targeted one plant owned by each Detroit automaker. The targeted plants include the following:
- General Motors Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri (UAW Local 2250, Region 4)
- Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex (Local 12, Region 2B)
- Ford Michigan Assembly Plant (Local 900, Region 1A)
Among the demands from UAW workers are a 36% pay increase, pension benefits for all employees, a four-day, 32-hour work week and more paid vacation time.
In addition, the UAW wants to see the two-tier wage structure eliminated.
For the latest UAW news, visit here.
