The UAW, or United Auto Workers, is a labor union that represents workers in the automotive industry. The union is currently on strike against General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, and is seeking better wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members. Some of the key demands of the UAW include:

• Pay Increases: The UAW is asking for a 36% pay increase across a four-year contract. Fords latest offer would raise wages for full-timers by "more than 20 percent" over the life of the contract.

• Defined-Benefit Pensions: The UAW wants the companies to restore defined-benefit pensions that workers previously received.

• Healthcare: The UAW wants the companies to pay all the health-care costs for retirees.

• End of Employment Tiers: The UAW is seeking to eliminate tiers of wages for factory jobs, which created two classes of employees – one older that is better paid and receives more benefits and a second, younger tier that was hired after 2007.

• Limit Use of Temporary Workers: The UAW is demanding that the automakers limit their use of temporary workers, who under the tiered-wage system receive the least pay and no benefits.

• Union Representation at New Electric Battery Plants: The UAW is demanding union representation at new electric battery plants.

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments: The UAW has demanded a return of cost-of-living pay raises.

• Retiree Benefits: The UAW is seeking significantly higher pay for retired workers and health care for all retired UAW members.

The union and automakers have drawn closer in their demands and offers for a new, four-year contract but are still far enough apart to prevent a deal.