The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is currently in negotiations with the Big Three automakers (Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis) for a new four-year contract. The UAW is asking for several things, including:

• Pay Increases: The UAW is asking for a 36% pay increase across a four-year contract.

• Pensions and Health Care: The UAW wants the companies to restore defined-benefit pensions that workers previously received and to pay all the health-care costs for retirees.

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

• Guaranteed Right to Strike: The union wants a guaranteed right to strike over plant closures and some form of compensation in the event of a shutdown of the plant.

The automakers have countered with their own proposals, but the two sides remain far apart on several key issues. The UAW has gone on strike at several auto plants to pressure the automakers to meet their demands.