GM, Ford Layoff 500 More Workers, Blame Auto Workers' Strike For The Action

General Motors (GM) and Ford have announced the layoff of 500 more workers, citing the expansion of the strike declared by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.

These employees were left without work due to the strikes on assembly plants, according to statements made by the two companies on Monday. The UAW started a focused strike on September 15, targeting GM, Ford, and Stellantis, which led to stoppages at a few plants, while the majority of the union's 146,000 US hourly auto workers continued to work, according to AFP.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has expanded the ongoing strike for the second time. Additional stoppages have been ordered at General Motors (GM) and Ford plants, but Stellantis has been spared due to progress in the talks.

GM has reported negative repercussions from the strike on its Wentzville, Missouri and Lansing, Michigan plants. As a result, 130 workers at Parma, Ohio, and 34 in Marion, Indiana have been sent home as there is no work available for them.

Ford has directed approximately 330 employees in Chicago, Illinois, and Lima, Ohio, not to report to work. The company has stated that its production system is highly interconnected, which causes knock-on effects for facilities that are not directly targeted for a work stoppage.

Previously, the three automakers (GM, Ford, and Stellantis) had sent nearly 3,000 workers home. These workers were unable to perform work due to the strike.

With the latest action on 2 October, the total number of workers affected has increased to around 3,500.

Initially, the UAW had called on about 13,000 members at the three automakers to stop work. However, as there was a lack of progress in negotiations, another 5,600 workers were added a week later. The following week, a further 7,000 workers were added, bringing the total number of striking workers to around 25,000.