Daimler Truck is under pressure to finalize a new labor agreement with more than 7,300 hourly employees across six U.S. facilities in the South by Friday’s end or risk a potential strike by members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
UAW President Shawn Fain emphasized workers’ demands for increased wages, cost-of-living adjustments, and enhanced job stability from the heavy-truck manufacturer during a recent online address. Fain asserted, “The workers are going to come for their fair share.”
As the strike deadline approaches, scheduled for midnight ET, Fain is expected to disclose whether a strike will proceed during a press conference at 10 pm ET.
With nearly all workers at four North Carolina factories and related facilities in Georgia and Tennessee voting to authorize a strike, Daimler Truck faces mounting pressure from the UAW.
The union has filed unfair labor practice charges against the company, alleging violations of workers’ rights and failure to negotiate in good faith.
Despite the looming deadline, Daimler Truck has not publicly commented on the situation, leaving uncertainty regarding the outcome of negotiations.
Following significant gains secured last fall from Detroit’s major automakers, including substantial pay raises, the UAW has shifted focus to organizing efforts at non-union U.S. plants.
Recent victories at Volkswagen and Mercedes plants signal the union’s growing influence in the Southern auto industry.
