Illinois auto workers continue strike, seek higher wages

[September 26, 2023]  By Andrew Hensel | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The strike continues for United Auto Workers union members in Illinois who walked out of work Friday.

The strike has reached 30 General Motors plants across the nation, including two Illinois plants in Naperville and Bolingbrook.

On Monday at the Bolingbrook facility, workers picketed and were joined by Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield. Durbin voiced his support for the workers and supported their efforts for better working conditions.

"Nobody wants a strike, but nobody wants the conditions to remain the same and not change," Durbin told ABC7, "They want these workers to have a fighting chance for a decent living in the future and build on the American dream."

The strike is against the three major auto companies Ford, Stellantis and General Motors.

The UAW initially sought wage increases of as much as 46% over four years, cost-of-living adjustments, pensions and retiree health care for all workers, and a 32-hour work week paid as 40 hours, including the 46% pay hike.

United Auto Workers go on strike against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Photo courtesy of United Auto Workers

UAW president Shawn Fain said his workers will no longer stand for "corporate greed."

"Everywhere, UAW members in the working class are ready to stand up against corporate greed and stand up for our communities," Fain said. "As we have said for weeks, we are not going to wait around forever for a fair contract with the big three. The companies know how to make this right. The public is on our side and the members of the UAW are ready to stand up."

Fain said the car companies threatened layoffs for workers who have not gone on strike.

The UAW contract expired on Sept. 14.

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