The summer of 2015 should be very interesting for the Big 3 and
suppliers alike. The collective bargaining agreements for the
Big 3 will expire on September 14, 2015. Initial negotiations
with the UAW are scheduled to commence this month. Ford has
already indicated that it would like to take the lead in the
negotiations with the UAW and Ford's recent announcement of the
end of certain production at the Michigan Assembly Plant is likely
one of many moves to come to gain an advantage in the
negotiations.
For the first time since 2007, workers at GM and Chrysler have
the right to strike. With the recent increase in union dues,
the UAW will have a larger strike fund to draw from if a strike
becomes necessary. However, UAW President Dennis Williams has
already stated that striking is a failure on both parties' part
and the UAW does not plan on failing.
