In pictures: What led the UAW to launch a historic strike against Big Three US automakers?

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union initiated a targeted strike involving about 8 per cent of its auto members across Detroit's major automakers, citing potential for the strike to expand over time.

The UAW urged the majority of its members to continue working initially, but Ford and General Motors later announced temporary layoffs of 2,600 workers and idling of two nonstriking factories due to material shortages from striking facilities.

Picket lines formed at three striking factories: a Ford plant in Wayne, a General Motors plant in Wentzville, Missouri, and a Stellantis plant in Toledo, as negotiations between the union and the Big Three automakers remained contentious, particularly on topics like wages, benefits, and worker schedules.

Striking workers expressed their demands for improved job security and better wages, with some struggling to afford necessities despite working in the automotive industry.

Approximately 12,700 UAW members participated in the strike, with UAW President Shawn Fain instructing the rest to continue working unless specifically called upon to join.

General Motors announced plans to idle a nonstriking plant in Kansas City, Kansas, due to parts shortages from the striking Wentzville plant, affecting 2,000 workers, while Ford temporarily laid off 600 nonstriking workers in Wayne due to dependencies on materials from striking workers.

The striking workers will not receive traditional company-financed unemployment payments as they are operating under expired contracts.

President Biden dispatched acting labor secretary Julie Su and senior adviser Gene Sperling to Detroit to support negotiations between the UAW and the Big Three automakers, expressing hope for a mutually beneficial agreement.

In the ongoing contract talks, the UAW demanded a 36 per cent wage increase over four years, while automakers offered wage hikes ranging from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent over 4.5 years, which the UAW deemed insufficient in light of rising inflation and corporate profits.

The strike marked a historic occurrence as the UAW simultaneously launched a strike against all three major automakers, raising concerns about its potential impact on the industry and suppliers.