UAW chief to say if auto strikes will grow from 34,000 workers now on picket lines_我的网站
一 | DETROIT -- United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain is expected to update members Friday afternoon on progress in contract talks with Detroit's three automakers as movement was reported with General Motors.Fain is scheduled to do a live video appearance, where he could call on more workers to walk off their jobs, joining the 34,000 already on strike at six vehicle assembly plants and 38 parts distribution warehouses. The union's strikes at targeted plants at each company began on Sept. 15 and are nearing the start of their sixth week.A person briefed on the talks says the union is exchanging offers with GM and will meet again Friday with the company. The person didn't want to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak on the record about the bargaining. There also were meetings on Thursday with Jeep maker Stellantis.On Thursday, GM posted a video indicating that bargainers are still some distance apart. Gerald Johnson, the company's global head of manufacturing, said GM has offered a total wage and benefit package that averages $150,000 per worker. It includes a 20% pay increase over four years and a company contribution of 8% per year in 401(k) accounts, cost-of-living increases, and it brings most workers to a top wage of $39.24 per hour by September of 2027, the company said.GM already has agreed to pull new electric vehicle battery plants into the national UAW contract, essentially making them unionized, a key point for Fain and the union. The UAW is seeking 36% wages, restoration of defined benefit pensions that workers gave up in the Great Recession, pension increases for retirees, an end to varying tiers of wages for workers and other items.“You might might be asking yourselves why can't General Motors meet every demand Shawn Fain is asking for?” Johnson said on the video. “Simple answer is we need profits to invest in our future.”He goes on to say that during the past decade, GM had net income of $65 billion but invested $77 billion in the business. “If we don't have those profits to continue our investments in our plants, our people and our products, we will be facing declining market share, an inability to fund the EV transition, and an inability to compete with a growing number of competitors right here in America,” Johnson said.Ford and Stellantis have made similar comments, with Ford saying it has reached the limit on how much it can spend to settle the strike. The union, however, says labor expenses are only about 5% of a vehicle's costs, and the companies can divert money from profits and stock buybacks to pay for raises that cover inflation and make up for years of contracts without significant increases. The strikes started with one assembly plant from each company after contracts expired at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14. The union later added the parts warehouses, then one assembly plant each from Ford and GM.Last week the union made a surprise move, escalating the strikes by adding a huge Ford pickup truck and SUV plant in Louisville, Kentucky. But Fain told workers Friday that the union added the Kentucky plant after Ford presented an economic offer with no more money than a proposal from two weeks ago.About 23% of the union's 146,000 members employed by the three automakers are on strike.Stellantis said Friday that it canceled displays and presentations at the upcoming Specialty Equipment Market Association show and the Los Angeles Auto Show as strike costs continue to grow. Earlier this week the company pulled out of the CES gadget show in January.。
二 | Director SS Rajamouli watched Avatar: Fire and Ash at a special screening in India. After catching up with the film, he interacted with director James Cameron ahead of the release of Avatar: Fire & Ash (2025). Rajamouli spoke to Cameron via a live video conference. And during the conversation, Cameron expressed his interest in visiting the sets of Rajamouli's upcoming film, Varanasi. The Hollywood filmmaker offered to drop in on the sets of the Rajamouli's directorial to oversee the second-unit's processes. I’d love to come to Rajamouli’s film set: Cameron Rajamouli spoke to James Cameron for the session titled ‘Meeting of the Minds’: James Cameron in conversation with SS Rajamouli, Avatar: Fire & Ash. The 30-minute-odd video clip was released on the YouTube channel of 20th Century Studios India. Rajamouli and James Cameron’s video interaction has become an instant viral sensation on Wednesday afternoon. Their conversation sparked off great interest in both their films. Rajamouli watched Avatar: Fire and Ash and said, “I felt like a child in the theatre.” James too expressed his interest to come to India and watch Rajamouli working. “I would love to come to your set. May I come to your set sometime and watch you create your magic?” In his reply, Rajamouli replied, "Oh...that would be an absolute pleasure Sir. You are most welcome and not just my unit, but the entire film industry will be thrilled.” ‘Love to operate the camera’ Rajamouli also stated that he has been shooting for Varanasi, and it’s almost a year now. “Another seven-eight months to go. We are in the middle of the shoot.” Cameron also expressed that he would love to operate the camera and shoot some second-unit shots for Rajamouli – much to the latter’s delight. Their interesting and light-hearted conversation has quickly become the talking point on social media.Also Read: Varanasi: Did Director SS Rajamouli Tweak The Title?。
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