MILWAUKEE — Saturday marked the second day since the United Auto Workers’ strike expanded to Milwaukee.
Dozens of members took to the sidewalks outside of the Stellantis plant, including Grady Angeloff. He’s one of three generations of UAW members in his family.
“We’re just trying to get a fair share of what’s going on and get a fair deal,” he said.
Angeloff said he wished he didn’t have to be on the picket line but doesn’t see any other option.
“It’s essential for us to be out here today,” he said. “It’s essential to be out here for my family that I want to raise in this city and want to be able to provide for and work hard for. So, in order for that to keep going, that’s what I got to do.”
The Milwaukee Parts Distribution Center was part of the expansion of the strike, which has gone on since Sept. 15 when the unions contracts with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis expired.
“The businesspeople are going to have to understand that the working class are the reason why they get what they get,” Angeloff said. “And we just want a part of it.”
The union is seeking pay raises, better benefits and more representation as companies transition to electric vehicles. For Angeloff, it just means security for his family, and the ability to stay in their home.
“I hope we get back to our plan where we don’t have to worry about it closing from one year to the next and relocating our families,” he said.
Angeloff hopes the strike doesn’t last much longer but said he’s grateful for the support they’ve received on the picket line, from politicians to passersby.
“I appreciate the support and the love that we get,” he said. “This is a big nationwide situation. And this is a good time for everybody to get involved in what’s fair.”
But with no end in sight just yet, Angeloff said he’ll be on the picket line to support his family and coworkers for as long as it takes.
“We’re here, and we’re going to be here,” he said. “And we hope to get in there sooner than later. But as long as it takes, that’s where we’re going to be. Right here.”
Stellantis provided the following statement:
"[...] We question whether the union’s leadership has ever had an interest in reaching an agreement in a timely manner. They seem more concerned about pursuing their own political agendas than negotiating in the best interests of our employees and the sustainability of our U.S. operations given the market’s fierce competition.
The fact is, we made a very competitive offer yesterday that includes all our current full-time hourly employees earning between $80,000 and $96,000 a year by the end of the contract (a 21.4% compounded increase); a long-term solution for Belvidere; and, significant product allocation that allows for workforce stability through the end of the contract. And yet, we still have not received a response to that offer. We look forward to the UAW leadership’s productive engagement so that we can bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that will protect the competitiveness of our Company and our ability to continue providing good jobs."