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DETROIT (AP) — Detroit's three automakers have agreed to partial factory shutdowns, deep cleaning of equipment and longer periods between shifts to head off union demands for U.S. plant closures due to the coronavirus threat.
The agreements came Tuesday night after union officials spoke individually with General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler.
The companies also agreed to “extensive plans” to avoid member coming in contact with one another, the United Auto Workers union said in a statement.
The United Auto Workers union said earlier in the day that it wanted the automakers to shut down their factories for two weeks to keep its members safe from the spreading coronavirus.
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DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union wants Detroit's three automakers to shut down their factories for two weeks to keep its members safe from the spreading coronavirus.
But union President Rory Gamble says in an email to members obtained by The Associated Press that the companies were not willing to shut factories down.
Gamble says the union gave Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler two days to put together plans to safeguard workers. That period ends Tuesday afternoon.
The companies and union will meet this evening to discuss the safety measures. But Gamble says if the union isn't satisfied it will take unspecified further action to protect members.