In an effort to shed the secrecy surrounding past UAW contract talks, General Motors is a taking a different, more transparent approach to the process by launching a website to deliver the latest bargaining developments to the automaker’s salaried and hourly global workforce — as well as to the public.
This comes as UAW President Shawn Fain has taken extra efforts to be transparent with members by doing regular live updates on Facebook and social media to outline the union’s goals in negotiations. GM’s website, called GMnegotiations2023.com, launched last month.
“Negotiations are all about supporting our more than 50,000 manufacturing employees in the U.S. and the larger GM team,” said David Barnas, GM spokesman. “Digital communication is how most people get their information, so this site is available to anyone interested in GM, both internally and externally.”
It’s not the first time GM has had a special website dedicated to union bargaining — such sites date to 2011 —but this is the first time the site will tailor the content for GM’s global workforce, rather than for news media or investors, the automaker said. Put simply, the website states it exists so that employees can “learn about GM’s 2023 negotiations with the United Auto Workers.”
The site also has another fresh twist: GM will include regular videos from Gerald Johnson, executive vice president of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability. It also offers employees a chance to sign up to receive email updates on the negotiations.
Stellantis is planning to do a similar website, but it’s not up yet, said spokesperson Jodi Tinson.
Ford Motor has a website dedicated to U.S. manufacturing called FordForTheBuilders.com that will offer negotiation information, but it is focused on sharing stories about the employees in Ford’s U.S. manufacturing plants, said spokesperson Kelli Felker.
On Tuesday, GM formally kicked off talks with the union, which is taking place at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren. The current four-year agreement expires at midnight on Sept. 14. GM put out a statement following the first meeting with the UAW leadership.
“We are proud of the robust total compensation and benefits package we provide to our team members, including a world-class healthcare plan, a profit-sharing program that just distributed the largest bonus payments ever to our employees, and career development and training opportunities,” CEO Mary Barra wrote. “We have a long history of negotiating fair contracts with the UAW that reward our employees and support the long-term success of our business. Our goal this time will be no different.”
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Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber