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How much does an average UAW worker make?

UAW President Shawn Fain calls for strikes against all GM, Stellantis parts distribution centers
UAW President Shawn Fain calls for strikes against all GM, Stellantis parts distribution centers 42:14

(CBS DETROIT) - The union continues striking against the Big Three Detroit automakers after its demands weren't meant before contracts expired on Sept. 14. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, President Joe Biden arrived in Michigan to show his support for union members on the picket line. 

Biden lands in Michigan to join UAW members on the picket line 00:43

On Friday, Fain called for additional strikes against all General Motors and Stellantis parts distribution facilities. Autoworkers are now striking at 38 locations across 20 states.

In addition, Canadian autoworkers ratified a labor agreement with Ford on Sunday, which averted a strike. 

This agreement raised base hourly pay for production workers by nearly 20% over three years and by over 25% for trade workers, according to Unifor, the Canadian autoworker union. 

Permanent workers will also get a $10,000 bonus and a cost-of-living adjustment.

As the historic strike against the Detroit automakers enters its 12th day, Fain continues to bargain with the Big Three to ensure the union's demands are met.

A key factor in those demands is a pay increase.  

How much does an average UAW member make? 

Most union workers receive an hourly wage.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average autoworker makes about $28 per hour. This wage increased about a dollar from the year before. 

Pay also depends on a worker's tenure at the automaker. The UAW wants to see the Big Three eliminate this two-tiered wage structure

Anyone who joined the company after 2007 is grouped in lower tiers, earning up to about $17 an hour. Members in the lower levels don't receive defined benefit positions.

The UAW wanted a 40% pay increase to match the pay increase of the CEOS at the Big Three. 

They have since lowered the increase to 36% across a four-year contract. 

In addition, the UAW is seeking pension benefits for all employees, a four-day, 32-hour work week and more paid vacation time. 

Plants called to strike by noon Friday

General Motors 

  • Pontiac Redistribution, Pontiac, Mich. 
  • Willow Run Redistribution, Belleville, Mich. 
  • Ypsilanti Processing Center, Ypsilanti, Mich. 
  • Davidson Road Processing Center, Burton, Mich.
  • Flint Processing Center, Swartz Creek, Mich. 
  • Lansing Redistribution, Lansing, Mich. 
  • Cincinnati Parts Distribution Westchester, Ohio
  • Denver Parts Distribution Aurora, Colo.
  • Hudson Parts Distribution Hudson, Wis.
  • Chicago Parts Distribution Bolingbrook, Ill
  • Reno Parts Distribution Center, Reno, Nev.
  • Rancho Cucamonga Parts, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
  • Fort Worth Parts Distribution, Roanoke, Texas
  • Martinsburg Parts Distribution, Martinsburg, W. Va.
  • Jackson Parts Distribution, Brandon, Miss.
  • Charlotte Parts Distribution, Charlotte N.C.
  • Memphis AC Delco Parts Distribution, Memphis, Tenn.
  • Philadelphia Parts Distribution, Lang Horne, Pa.

Stellantis Distribution Centers

  • Marysville, Marysville, Mich. 
  • Center Line Packing, Center Line, Mich. 
  • Center Line Warehouse, Center Line, Mich. 
  • Sherwood, Warren, Mich. 
  • Warren Parts, Warren, Warren, Mich. 
  • Quality Engineering Center, Auburn Hills, Mich. 
  • Romulus, Romulus, Mich. 
  • Cleveland, Streetsboro, Ohio
  • Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wis. 
  • Minneapolis, Plymouth, Minn.
  • Denver, Commerce City, Colo.
  • Chicago, Naperville, Ill.
  • Los Angeles, Ontario, Calif.
  • Portland, Beaverton, Ore.
  • Atlanta, Morrow, Ga.
  • Winchester, Winchester, Va.
  • Orlando, Orlando, Fla. 
  • Dallas, Carrollton, Texas
  • New York, Tappan, N.Y. 
  • Boston, Mansfield, Mass.

Latest offers from Ford, GM and Stellantis

The UAW has made progress in its negotiations with Ford but hasn't reached an agreement yet. 

According to Fain, Ford has agreed to reinstate the cost of living adjustment, enhance profit-sharing, the immediate conversion of temporary workers and more

In addition, Fain said the GM and Stellantis have rejected all of the UAW's job security and profit-sharing proposals

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