Charlotte auto parts center joins national UAW strike

CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte auto parts distribution center joined the United Autoworkers Strike with a walkout on Friday.

The Union expanded its walkout to 38 distribution centers in 20 states, including Charlotte Parts Distribution off of Westinghouse Boulevard.

Dozens of distribution centers walked out at noon on Friday.

Three plants went on strike last week in Michigan and Ohio, demanding changes to the costs of living adjustments, work pensions, and 40-percent wage increases.

Channel 9′s Evan Donovan spoke with the workers at the walkout today about their demands.

“The company is making money, and now we want what we deserve.,” Darrell Turlington, chairman of the UAW said. “They gave up cost of living, they gave up pensions and stuff. Now the company is back on top, and we feel it’s time to get all that stuff back.”

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Turlington is referencing the contrast between the early 2000s ′s when taxpayers bailed out the major automakers during financial hardship in the industry.

Last year, GM’s EBITDA, a commonly used measure of corporate earnings, was nearly $22 billion. That’s a 20 percent increase over the last five years.

“We are out here today, we deserve better,” chanted Shanna Allen. “Record profits equal record contracts.”

They say they chose 40 percent intentionally — they claim it’s the same raise the CEOs of the Big 3 automakers have gotten.

According to SEC filings, these three CEOs averaged $25 million in compensation in 2022. That is 300 times what the average worker makes.

“It needs to be fair for all people. They’re all human like we are, we deserve better wages,” said Allen.

READ PREVIOUS: Local United Auto Workers union monitor strike against Big 3 automakers

Stellantis, Ford and General Motors have rolled out short-term layoffs for some non-striking workers, but all three auto companies say they’ve been in negotiations with the union as recently as Thursday.

Channel 9 reached out to the automakers for comment. GM responded with a statement, claiming the strike escalation is “unnecessary.”

“We have now presented five separate economic proposals that are historic, addressing areas that our team members have said matters most: wage increases and job security while allowing GM to succeed and thrive into the future. We will continue to bargain in good faith with the union to reach an agreement as quickly as possible,” the statement read.

The Charlotte location is a GM service parts center.

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