The United Auto Workers (UAW) union, announced August 31 it had filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against General Motors and Stellantis, Chrysler’s parent company.

The charges claim both automakers refused to bargain in good faith over wages and benefits during contract talks held over the last six months, according to Reuters. GM and Stellantis have denied the charges.

Ford Motor said that it offered a 9% wage increase for workers through 2027, far less than the 46% pay boost the union was seeking. Ford also claimed that its “generous offer” would provide hourly employees with a 15% increase in guaranteed combined wages and lump sums as well as improved benefits.

"Overall, this offer is significantly better than what we estimate workers earn at Tesla and foreign automakers operating in the U.S.," Ford said.

The UAW is demanding a 20% immediate increase in wages, a cost of living boost, pension benefits for all workers and shorter work weeks.

"We're going to fight like hell to get our equitable share of justice for workers," said UAW President Shawn Fain in remarks posted online. "We can get there - but these companies better buckle down, and they better get serious."

Fain said that neither GM nor Stellantis have made counteroffers at this time.

The current four-year collective bargaining agreement covering 146,000 employees working at Detroit Three automakers — inclduing GM, Ford and Chrysler — is set to expire September 14.