Staff Report

DETROIT — For the first time in United Auto Workers history, the union went on strike Friday, Sept. 15, against all Big Three automakers.

The targeted strike against three plants owned by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis involves about 13,000 of the UAW’s 145,000 workers but could expand, according to CNN and Reuters.

The walkouts will halt production of the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck and other models, Reuters said.

The action comes after a new contract deal could not be reached for wages, benefits and job protections.

Now that automakers are seeing nearly record profits, the union says it wants to recapture benefits given up years ago as the auto industry struggled. Automakers say union demands for a 40% pay hike and 32-hour workweek, among others, are unreasonable.