In labor news, the United Auto Workers union says it is escalating its “stand up” strike against the Big Three U.S. automakers today unless significant progress is made at the bargaining table. UAW President Shawn Fain will announce the auto plants that will join workers on the picket line at GM, Ford and Stellantis. Amid soaring profits and CEO compensation, workers are demanding better wages, an end to tiered pay, cost-of-living adjustments, a return to defined benefit pensions and a 32-hour workweek. Separately, UAW workers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, have launched a strike at their plant, which produces parts for Mercedes-Benz.

Tammy Slayton: “We want better wages because of inflation right now. The wages that we have is not going to — is not meeting our needs. And plus, the benefit package they’re offering us is too high. We can’t afford it.”