Detroit’s “Big 3” Automakers Agree to Shutter U.S. Plants

Citing motivations to protect its workers, the United State’s “Big 3” automakers–Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler–announced on Wednesday that they would be closing all of their factories, Reuters reports. The Detroit-based automobile manufacturers reportedly bowed to pressure from the United Auto Workers union–which represents roughly 150,000 hourly workers at those facilities–after previously agreeing to just merely slow down production at their U.S. plants.

Ford will close its North American factories beginning after Thursday evening’s shifts and continuing through March 30. During that time, it will conduct thorough cleanings of the buildings. General Motors and Fiat Chrysler have yet to announce the details of their closures.