STREETSBORO, Ohio — Workers at the Stellantis parts distribution center in Streetsboro have been on strike for two weeks, a week behind many of their other union brothers and sisters nationwide.
"This is the first time I've ever experienced something like this, but I stand strong with my union," LaDaryon Williams says. "It's been an experience, but I wouldn't stand down for nothing."
Williams was on the picket line Friday afternoon when United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain announced they will not be adding more workers to the strike, at least for now.
"It gives me hope that it's maybe coming to an end, hopefully that we could be back inside instead of out here," Williams told 3News.
Fain says serious progress is being made, with Ford jumping from nine to 23% for wage increase proposals and General Motors and Stellantis to 20%, with some agreeing to reinstate cost of living allowance among other concessions.
"But here's the bottom line: We are winning, we are making progress, and we are headed in the right direction," Fain said in a video announcement Friday afternoon.
Fain says GM made a breakthrough concession by adding electric vehicle plants to the union.
"When you look at our future generations down the road, to have that ability to be under the UAW master agreement, that's going to be huge," Mike Kalman said.
Kalman is president of UAW Local 573 in Streetsboro. He says other labor workers — like electrical, steel, and teachers unions from out of town — have been joining them on the picket line in Portage County, standing for the strike and what it symbolizes.
"They appreciate what we're doing and the sacrifice we're making right now because of how huge that is for the labor movement in general, no matter what sector you're from," Kalman added.
Starting Monday, nearly 400 Ford workers will be laid off from the plant in Brook Park. Last, week GM laid off 130 workers from the Parma Metal Center.