"UAW hits GM with nationwide strike", 16 September 2019

Some 46,000 members of the United Auto Workers went on strike...walking off General Motors factory floors...Workers shut down 33 manufacturing plants...across the U.S. as well as 22 parts distribution warehouses...

...the union...[said] GM has budged little in months of talks while GM said it made substantial offers including higher wages and factory investments...

...UAW Vice President Terry Dittes...said a strike was...needed because both sides were far apart in negotiating a new...contract...."We are standing up for fair wages, we are standing up for affordable quality health care, we are standing up for our share of the profits."

GM...said it is offering pay raises and $7 billion worth of U.S. factory investments...The company also said it offered higher profit sharing, "nationally leading" health benefits and an $8,000 payment to each worker upon ratification of a new contract...

...The union wants annual pay raises...but the company wants to pay lump sums tied to earnings...The union also wants new products for the four factories slated to close.

Union members... pay about 4% of the cost [of health insurance plans]. Employees at large firms nationwide pay about 34%...Automakers would like to cut costs.