LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The deadline is nearing for United Auto Workers to reach an agreement with the big three automakers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. If no amicable offer is on the table, UAW President Shawn Fain said some members plan to strike.

What You Need To Know

  • The United Auto Workers could strike against General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis Thursday night at 11:59 p.m. ET if the two sides don't make a deal before their current contract expires

  • UAW President Shawn Fain laid out a plan for a possible strike if no agreements have reached

  • If a strike goes through, it will impact Louisville businesses that rely on the union members stopping by their shop

  • The UAW has been negotiating with each of the Detroit automakers on a new contract since July

And, if that goes through, it will most likely impact businesses in the Louisville area that rely on the union members stopping by their shops.

It’s not the first time Robin Mountain has felt the pinch of a strike.

“It’s already started to affect us in a number of ways,” Mountain said.

Earlier this summer the UPS Teamsters strike affected his coffee shop, Ntaba Coffee Haus.

“Myself and the Subway next to me, if fact my landlord owns both the Subway and this building, and it will affect us very, very badly,” Mountain said.

He and his wife own the coffee shop. It’s a minute away from the UAW Local 862 union chapter and two minutes away from the Louisville Assembly Plant that makes Ford vehicles.

“Certainly, numbers are down in both myself and Subway and we’re not sure what this is due to, but as I said, the strike would really hurt a lot of us local businesses,” Mountain said.

On Wednesday, Fain provided an update to members laying out a plan if they do go on a strike.

“For the first time in our history, we may strike all three of the big three at once. Our message with the companies was clear. If we don’t have a fair contract by midnight on Thursday night, we will strike,” Fain said.

They’re calling it the “Stand-up strike.”

It’s where the national leadership will call on the local chapter to walk out on any given day, meaning not all of the chapters will strike at once, and not all the facilities

“The Stand-up strike will keep the companies guessing. It’s going to rely on discipline, organization and creativity,” Fain said.

The UAW is seeking general pay raises, a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay, traditional pensions for new hires, cost-of-living pay raises and more.

Ford said it submitted what it called the most generous offer in 80 years.

The offer includes pay raises, protection against inflation and bigger contributions to retirement plans.

Ford CEO Jim Farley talked about some of those demands at an event on Tuesday night.

“We’re absolutely ready for a strike and I know the UAW is, too, but we don’t want it to come to a strike. I mean, a four-day workweek is not containable. We’re we’re literally fighting for the future of automotive manufacturing in our country but we’re optimistic we’ll find a way forward,” Farley said.

The way forward is also what Mountain hopes too.

“I am an employer myself and I have to look after my staff and you know I’d hate to let any more staff go because we can’t afford to keep them,” Mountain said.

Depending on how bargaining talks go Thursday, Fain said he’ll announce which UAW chapters will strike at 10 p.m. EST, if no agreement has been reached.

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