UAW to FCA: Prepare for strike
The United Auto Works union has given Fiat Chrysler final notice that it intends to strike after the two sides have failed to reach a deal.
The FCA told FOX 2 that it has received a strike notification from the UAW.
According to a letter posted to the UAW Facebook page, they plan to go on strike at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7 if a deal is not made. Click here to read the letter.
The two sides have been at impasse for the past few weeks after a proposed deal failed to pass with rank-and-file members.
FCA says it is still trying to work with the UAW to reach a new agreement.
UAW workers are following through on their threat to strike Fiat Chrysler, scheduling a walkout for midnight Thursday morning. The question is will this speed up negotiations for a new contract, and affect the economy.
A deal has still not been reached on a four-year contract with Fiat-Chrysler.
A deadline has now been set for 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. If a deal cannot be met by then between UAW leadership and Fiat Chrysler, workers will pick up their pick it signs.
"We just have to deal with what happens," said Charles Horne. "I've got a son who works for Chrysler too."
Workers at the FCA Warren Truck Assembly plant are growing impatient.
"I just want to fair contract reach that's all I want," one worker said. "Whatever it takes to get a fair contract for everybody reached. That's all I want to see happen."
The UAW has officially issued a strike notice after a tentative four-year agreement was struck down by workers last week, with 65 percent voting no.
Autoline.com's expert John McElroy weighs in.
"Clearly there's been a complete disconnects between what the leadership negotiated and with the rank-and-file thought they were going to get."
When the clock strikes midnight Thursday morning, the UAW is planning a walk out. UAW leadership has notified Fiat Chrysler of the impending strike, and now, they are further discussing effects on plant operations.
"And then it's just a matter of hard-core negotiating with FCA and remember, FCA may be willing to give the UAW something, but then it's going to want other things in return."
UAW leaders will continue reconstructing a new four year contract in the meantime, dealing with the embarrassment of a deal not being reached sooner.
"FCA is in no rush to do this," McElroy said. "Only because the leadership of the Union signed off on this agreement. And that's why they've got a call a strike to really get the company back to the table."
Workers only care about getting what's fair.
"We just want a change," said one worker. "We want the contract to come to agreement. Not a long strike, we're not looking forward to anything like that, but we are prepared for this."
Fiat Chrysler confirms in a statement today, they are aware of the strike and they will continue talks with UAW leadership to get this whole thing sorted out as soon as possible.