“The automakers can’t plead poverty,” Fields told CNN on Wednesday, noting the industry’s recent string of profitable years. [Automakers’] CEO pay went up 40%. “But I do think he’s quite misplaced in that if there’s a work stoppage… there will be lots of people hurt,” the former Ford CEO said. However, economists say a UAW strike is unlikely to cause a recession, though it would do damage to local economies and parts suppliers. You can’t fault them for trying to deal with inflation that is hurting their families,” the former Chrysler CEO said.

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