could go on strike against the so-called# Big Three automakers here in the U.S. As Laura Barron-Lopez explains, the union# and manufacturers are far apart on some key## issues that may be crucial to the future of# the industry and to labor's broader goals.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Amna, the deadline is midnight# tomorrow, and the United Auto Workers are pushing## for big changes, including a substantial# wage hike of 30 percent over four years,## eliminating wage tiers, which pay very different# rates per hour, a shortened 32-hour workweek,## while keeping pay at a 40-hour level, and union# representation at 10 electric vehicle factories.

But the Big Three automakers,# GM, Ford and Stellantis,## say the costly transition to electric vehicles# makes it too difficult to meet thes New York Times reporter Neal# Boudette has covered the auto## industry for two decades, and he joins me now.

Neal, thanks.

NEAL BOUDETTE, The LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: We just# got an upd the president of the United Auto# Workers, and here's what SHAWN FAIN, President, United Auto Workers:## We're making progress at each# of the thr but, as you just heard, we're still very far# apart on our key priorities.

From job security,## to ending tiers, from cost of living allowance, to# wage increases, we do not yet have offers on the## table that reflect the sacrifice and contributions# our members have made to these companies.

To win, we're likely going to have to take action.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Neal, as you just heard,## an agreement seems pretty elusive there.# NE AL BOUDETTE: It's pretty darn close to# inevitable, probably 99 percent chance, I think.

They remain far apart on wages, although they have# had some movement there.

But on the other issues,## in terms of work hours and other# work conditions, retiree pensions,## they're very far apart there.

And both# sides are pretty dug in, in their positions.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: And one of the big dividing# lines here is the call for substantial raises,## 30 percent over four years, and# an end to that tiered wage system,## where some are paid less than# half of what others are paid.

And so, if that tiered system ultimately is ended,## what type of impact would it have# for these workers' livelihoods?

NEAL BOUDETTE: Well, there are a lot of workers## who are making $20 to $25 an# hour, some even less than $20.

And this is tough work for that kind of pay.# And, also, they're producing expensive vehicles,## $50,000 pickup trucks.

So that's a pretty# high-priced product to be making the kind of## wage that some people might make literally# baby-sitting or working in a supermarket.

So, it's a -- it would be a substantial change# to their lifestyle and their way of living.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: The union is also# calling for a four-day workweek.

But## when speaking to reporters, Ford's# CEO threw cold water on that.

JIM FARLEY, CEO, Ford Motor Company: We# will see.

I mean, a four-day workweek is## not attainable.

We're literally fighting for the# future of automotive manufacturing in our count LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Neal, what's the biggest worry## for these companies right now?

Is it# the E.V.

trans NEAL BOUDETTE: I think they're concerned# about the E.V.

transition, but they want## to avoid getting locked into something# that they can't change down the road.

That happened in the past, and that was part# of the reason why the Big Three became so## uncompetitive.

They have regained their# competitive edge, but they don't want to## do something like a four-day workweek that# they're locked into and, say, five years from now or 10 years from now, conditions# change, and that makes them uncompetitive.

A wage increase, they can accept, but# permanent changes to the way work is done,## that would be a real tough# thing for them to swallow.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: And what would the## impact be on everyday Americans if t NEAL BOUDETTE: I don't think you would# see much of an impact in a short strike,## a week or two weeks.

Dealers do have inventory,# so people could still go out and buy cars.

But if it lasts longer than that, if it goes# on four weeks, five weeks more than that,## dealers will start running out of cars, and,# of course, the law of supply and demand, you## could see prices go up, and it could be tougher# to find the new cars that people want to buy.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Could you explain a little bit## more why it's so critical to the NEAL BOUDETTE: Because, right now, one# E.V.

plant -- or one E.V.

battery plant## has been organized, but there# are others that are being built.

And they're concerned that if those jobs remain# non-union, they will b a wage that's roughly half of what the top UAW# wage is.

So they're concerned with those workers## and also the working conditions.

Those battery# plants can be dangerous places to work.

So there's## a lot of concerns they have for those people# who will be in those battery production plants.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Taking a step back, Neal,## to what extent are these UAW talks impo NEAL BOUDETTE: I think they're the highlight.

I mean, we have had a lot of --# going on this summer.

The Hollywood## writers are out.

The Hollywood actors are# out.

There was almost a strike at UPS.

That## was avoided.

But this is the biggest# one of all.

It's 150,000 UAW workers## at the three companies, and they're at# plants all across the Upper Midwest.

If there is a strike against the three of them,## there would be economic pain in# a lot of those factory towns,## dozens of factory towns in Michigan, Ohio,# Indiana and other states LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Neal Boudette of The New# York Times, thank you so much for your time.

NEAL BOUDETTE: Glad to be here.