US car workers have vowed to continue their fight for improved pay and job security after their union turned down the latest offer from employers.

Following a week of intensive negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) union and the Big Three US car manufacturers, Ford, General Motors (GM) and Stellantis, the UAW leadership has decided to reject a new offer from GM and Stellantis, which moved closer to what is on the table from Ford.

Lansing, Michigan-based Nicki Jones, a member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union for 25 years, said on Saturday: “I’m standing up for job security, higher wages and to end tiers so my children can raise a family of their own one day.”

On October 16, Ford announced a $600 million (£493m) dividend to shareholders, which the union says could have been used to provide another $1 (82p) per hour increase over the lifetime of the contract.

The union said: “Whilst there has been some movement at all three companies, the union national bargaining committees believe there is still a lot more room for improvement and more UAW members continue to be ready to join the stand up strike when called upon.”

The UAW has around 34,000 members taking action at 44 GM, Ford and Stellantis plants.