Ford, GM, Fiat Chrysler under pressure to close factories to slow virus spread

Photo by Jeff Kowalsky / AFP via Getty Images

The big three automakers in the United States are facing increasing pressure to close their domestic factories as the federal government, states, and other local governments issue new guidelines to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The United Auto Workers union said in a letter to members on Tuesday that it’s advocating for at least a two-week shutdown of the automotive factories to protect employees who aren’t able to work remotely as well as their families and communities. But the UAW said in its letter that Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles “were not willing to implement this request,” which was made after the automakers formed a task force with the union to help fight COVID-19, the disease caused by…

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