The United Auto Workers say that they have asked for higher wages for starting employees in the new contracts. The UAW says that they want all workers to have a middle-class standard of living, and are not sure that they can achieve that with the current wage levels. Both sides say that they are interested in keeping the companies profitable, and that they remain positive about the negotiations. Contracts between the UAW and auto companies expire on September 14.
See "UAW Wants Higher Wages for New Auto Workers", Keith Naughton, Bloomberg News, August 29, 2011