United Autoworkers President Gary Jones announced Tuesday that the UAW will target General Motors during ongoing bargaining as the union works to set a pattern for contracts with the Big Three Automakers.

“Mary Barra said from the outset of these talks that we will stand up as we tackle a changing industry. We are ready to stand strong for our future,” said Jones.

Detroit Big 3 contracts all expire at midnight the evening of Sept. 14. UAW GM local unions have all voted and sent a national bargaining team supported by the UAW International Union and their UAW GM Department.

 “We are focused. We are prepared and we are all ready to stand up for our members, our communities and our manufacturing future,” added Jones.The UAW announced today the total votes for strike authorization of the Detroit Big 3.

The UAW Constitution requires members to vote and give the authorization to strike if necessary. The vote does not mean there will or will not be a strike. It gives authority to the UAW International President and International Executive Board to call for a strike. Locals have also elected National Bargaining Representatives as part of the national bargaining team.

“No one goes into collective bargaining taking a strike lightly. But it is a key tool in the tool belt as our bargaining team sits across from the company,” said Gary Jones, UAW President. “Ultimately, the company holds that destiny in their hands as they bargain. Clearly, the UAW stood up for them in a very dark time, now that they are profitable, it is time for them to stand up for all of us.”

Each local voted independently. The aggregate totals by automakers are:

FCA   96%

Ford   95.98%

General Motors   96.4%

Both General Motors and the UAW have said that the future of the Lordstown Assembly Plant will be a bargaining issue during talks to replace the current labor agreement.

The UAW is suing GM in federal court over job transfer rights. The union opposes GM's request to have those issues settled through arbitration.

General Motors stopped making the Chevy Cruze in Lordstown this past March and has no plans to replace the product with another vehicle.