UAW strike: GM, Stellantis parts and distributions facilities in Chicago suburbs join picket lines

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- The UAW expanded its strike Friday to 38 parts and distribution centers in 20 states for General Motors and Stellantis, including facilities in the Chicago suburbs.

The added distribution centers provide parts for GM, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler.

Approximately 5,625 additional workers will join the strike, including 87 who walked off the job at a GM plant in Bolingbrook and 92 at the Stellantis facility in Naperville.

"We're here to stand up for the middle class," union member Steve Gregor said. "This used to be the gold standard for a living, working with the Big Three and these gentlemen that are in the top tier sacrificed eight years without a penny raise to get the company back on its feet in 2009. You just can't live on $17-an-hour starting wage."

"We're all in the same boat," said Tre Durant, UAW shop chairman. "We just want a fair share for our families. That's all we want. We're not asking for no extra."

They join more than 12,000 other UAW already on strike at plants in Missouri, Ohio and Michigan.

The local strike could impact drivers in the Chicago area because most local dealers get their parts from the Naperville Stellantis warehouse. But the workers said they will not budge until they get their demands.

"There were people who came before me that made it right for me, that made this a good, blue-collared union paying job. And, I want to leave it the same way I found it. Matter of fact, I want to leave it a little better," said Trey Durant, employee at the Naperville plant for 15 years.

No additional Ford facilities will be going on strike, including the Ford assembly plant in the Southeast Side of Chicago.

Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union's demands during negotiations over the past week, said UAW President Shawn Fain.

"We've made some real progress at Ford," Fain said during an online presentation to union members. "We still have serious issues to work through, but we do want to recognize that Ford is showing that they are serious about reaching a deal."

"At GM and Stellantis, it's a different story," he said. "Both GM and Stellantis have rejected our profit-sharing proposals. And both companies have rejected our proposals to convert temps."

The car companies said they can't afford to meet the union's demands because they need to invest profits in a costly transition from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles.

Workers said they want a 40% increase in pay, cost of living adjustments, equal hourly pay for every UAW employee and pensions for all workers.

"They're coming together and making progress, but there's still a wide gap on the economic side and that's our wages, our cost of living allowance and pensions for all and those are the sticking points right now," UAW Local 551 president Chris Pena said.

Ford said in a statement, "Ford is working diligently with the UAW to reach a deal that rewards our workforce and enables Ford to invest in a vibrant and growing future. Although we are making progress in some areas, we still have significant gaps to close on the key economic issues. In the end, the issues are interconnected and must work within an overall agreement that supports our mutual success."

All three major auto companies have offered a 20 percent pay increase.

"Our members are scraping the barrel to get by right now and it shouldn't be that way," said Richard Bray, UAW Local 2114 president.

GM parts and distribution sites on strike

-Pontiac Redistribution - Pontiac, Mich.

-Willow Run Redistribution - Belleville, Mich.

-Ypsilanti Processing Center - Ypsilanti, Mich.

-Davidson Rd. Processing Center - Burton, Mich.

-Flint Processing Center - Swartz Creek, Mich.

-Lansing Redistribution - Lansing, Mich.

-Cincinnati Parts Distr. - Westchester, Ohio

-Denver Parts Dist. - Aurora, Colo

-Hudson parts Dist. - Hudson, Wisc.

-Chicago Parts Dist. - Bolingbrook, Ill.

-Reno Parts Dis. Center, Reno Nev.

-Rancho Cucamonga Parts Dist. - Ranch Cucamonga, Calif.

-Fort Worth Parts Distribution, Roanoke, Texas

-Martinsburg Parts Distribution - Martinsburg, W. Va.

-Jackson Parts Dis. - Brandon, Miss.

-Charlotte Parts Dist. - Charlotte, N.C.

-Memphis AC Delco Parts Dist. - Memphis, Tenn.

-Philadelphia Parts Dis. - Lang Horne, Penn.

Stellantis parts and distribution sites on strike

-Marysville - Marysville, Mich.

-Centerline Packaging - Center Line, Mich.

-Centerline Warehouse - Center Line, Mich.

-Sherwood - Warren Mich.

-Warren parts - Warren Mich.

-QEC - Auburn Hills, Mich.

-Romulus - Romulus, Mich.

-Cleveland - Streetsboro, Ohio

-Milwaukee - Milwaukee

-Minneapolis - Plymouth, Minn.

-Denver - Commerce City, Colo.

-Chicago - Naperville, Ill.

-Los Angeles - Ontario, Calif.

-Portland - Beaverton, Ore.

-Atlanta - Morrow, Ga.

-Winchester, Winchester, Va.

-Orlando - Orlando, Fla.

-Dallas - Carrollton, Texas

-New York - Tappan, NY

-Boston - Mansfield, Mass.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.