UAW barrels toward ‘likely’ strikes against auto companies. Here are the latest details

DETROIT — The United Auto Workers and Detroit automakers remain far apart ahead of the union “likely” strategically striking the companies after an 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday deadline, UAW President Shawn Fain said Wednesday night.

The outspoken union leader laid out significant details of current proposals between the UAW and General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis regarding wage increases, cost-of-living adjustments, bonuses and job security.

Fain also laid out general plans about how the union expects to strategically strike the Detroit automakers, if necessary. He said the strike will start at a limited number of locations, followed by others, if required.

“If the companies continue to bargain in bad faith … then our strikes are going to continue to grow … We’re going to hit where we need to hit,” Fain said Wednesday during a Facebook Live event.

Fain also said “an all-out strike is still a possibility.” He added if there are strikes, the union will not negotiate Friday, instead they will hold a 4 p.m. rally in Detroit with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the progressive lawmaker from Vermont.

Fain referred to the union’s plans as a “stand-up strike,” a nod to historic “sit-down” strikes by the UAW.

“I’ll tell you this, I’m at peace with a decision to strike if we have to because I know that we’re on the right side of this battle,” Fain said after discussing his faith in religion and the union. “It’s a battle of the working class against the rich; the haves versus the have-nots; the billionaire class against everybody else.”

Key demands from the union have included 40% hourly pay increases, a reduced 32-hour workweek, a shift back to traditional pensions, the elimination of compensation tiers and a restoration of cost-of-living adjustments, among other items.

Ford CEO Jim Farley, in a lengthy statement released by the company,…