UAW Opposes Early May To Reopen Production Plants: Calls For More Safety For Autoworkers

With automotive production currently shut down at Ford (F), General Motors (GM), and Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) because of the coronavirus pandemic, the United Autoworkers Union (UAW) doesn’t see early May as a suitable start date.

“A this point in time, the UAW does not believe the scientific data is conclusive that it is safe to have our members back in the workplace,” UAW President Rory L. Gamble said.

The UAW maintains not enough testing has been done to really understand what the threat to autoworkers might be if they return to work with the COVID-19 crisis still going one. The union is looking to ensure that UAW members are safe before they “walk into the workplace.”

Gamble stressed that early May is too soon to bring workers back to plants, saying the union supports, “Governor Whitmer extending the Stay at Home order. We strongly suggest to our companies in all sectors that an early May date is too soon and too risky to our members, their families and their communities.”

Whitmer extended Michigan’s stay-at-home order until May 15 on Friday.

The UAW and the Big Three automakers came to an agreement in mid-March, extending production shutdowns as a measure designed to keep union autoworkers safe and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Ford, GM, and Fiat have seen UAW members test positive for COVID-19, with some workers dying from the virus.

Shares of Ford stock were down 1.3292% as of 11:18 a.m. EDT on Friday while shares of GM stock were up 0.28% at the same time. Shares of Fiat Chrysler stock were up 0.38% also at the same time.