The United Auto Workers began a strike against the Big Three on Friday, walking out at three U.S. factories, including one in Michigan. Much is at stake, for workers and the industry.
Paula Gardner
Paula directs the business reporting on Bridge, writing much of it and setting the strategy for how statewide business coverage fits into Bridge’s nonpartisan policy-driven editorial mix. Paula came to Bridge in 2020 after several years at MLive.com, where she covered the state on both business and environmental teams. Prior to that, she was editor of the Ann Arbor News and news director of online startup AnnArbor,com, and also focused on business news as an editor and reporter at Michigan Business Review. Born and raised in metro Detroit, Paula moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, and has lived in the city for 20 years with her husband, who grew up in their neighborhood. Paula also regularly visits East Lansing and Grand Rapids to visit her college-aged children. She can be reached at pgardner@bridgemi.com
Posted inBusiness Watch
UAW-automaker standoff prompts worries over Michigan's place in new economy
Global competition for market share and profitability amid EV investment both pressure how much the Big Three legacy companies can give in negotiations.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Strike likely; UAW plans staggered walkouts to ‘keep companies guessing’
Negotiations between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three automakers show some progress, but the union is planning a staggered walkout that will target Ford, GM and Stellantis at the same time.
Posted inBusiness Watch
As UAW strike looms, what to know about contract talks, Big Three finances
The UAW contracts expire at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, leaving major automakers as potential targets. Here is a primer on the issues surrounding the debate.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan braces for UAW strike as contract negotiations head to final week
Michigan’s large investment in automotive manufacturing makes it more vulnerable than other states to a strike against Ford, GM or Chrysler — or all three. Here’s what’s at stake as the negotiators try to beat a strike deadline next week.
Posted inMichigan Government
Report: UAW strike against Michigan’s Big Three could cost economy $5.6B
The Thursday report estimated the cost of a 10-day strike by 143,000 United Auto Workers members against Ford, GM and Stellantis as business and political leaders weigh in on what must happen.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan businesses relieved as UPS averts strike with its union
The tentative contract, announced Tuesday, will provide $7.50 per hour in wage increases over five years. With the deal, the rest of the U.S. can relax in knowing that 24 million daily packages won’t face delay during a national strike.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Judge denies bid to halt site work for Ford EV battery plant in Marshall
A citizens group filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking to force a vote on rezoning. Their request to stop work on the property until a decision is made was declined. The judge has yet to rule on the requested referendum.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Citizens group’s zoning lawsuit may stall Ford’s Marshall EV battery site
A court ruling the week of July 17 will decide if work can continue on the eventual site of Ford Motor Co.’s $3.5 billion battery factory in Marshall. A citizens group is asking a judge to issue a temporary restraining order on site work during litigation over whether they can force a public vote on the property’s zoning.
Posted inBusiness Watch
In settlement with critics, DTE Energy agrees to faster coal phase-out
The utility, which is Michigan’s largest electricity provider, will get off coal by 2032, three years earlier than previously planned. That still lags two years behind the goals set forth in Gov. Whitmer’s climate plan.