The auto-strikes are limited right now, but what if they don't stay that way?

From Marketplace, I'm Subribena Shor, and for David Brancaccio.

Detroit's big three automakers and the Union representing their workers are nowhere near

an agreement.

They are still far apart on wages, but the strike is only four days old and it's limited.

Not all workers are striking.

But what happens if the strike settles in for the long haul?

And what if it grows?

As the Union has threatened, Marketplace's Nova Sappho takes a look.

United Auto Workers represents nearly 150,000 employees at GM Ford and Stellantis right

now, less than 10% are on strike.

So analysts expect this will have no immediate impact on the broader economy.

That calculation changes, though, if the strike lasts for weeks, if not months, as previous

ones have, and if all Auto Workers walk off their jobs.

According to one forecast, an all-out strike would dent quarterly economic growth by at

least 1.7 percentage points.

That would be a significant blow, though likely not enough to send quarterly GDP growth

into negative.

Another forecast predicts a total strike would decrease US vehicle production by more than

30%.

And that could push up used vehicle prices.

Enough to increase inflation?

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