UAW Strikes! Axle Issues Idle GM Plants

[Joey D]

Not all is well in GM land...

Romulus engine plant workers reject GM-UAW deal
Workers at a UAW local in Romulus have rejected the union's tentative agreement with General Motors Corp. -- despite the contract's promise to keep work at their plant.

About 1,100 of the 1,400 workers at GM's Romulus engine plant voted on the deal and just more than half said no.

Local 163 President Larry Long said he was surprised his members voted down the deal, which was struck between the United Auto Workers and GM leadership the early morning hours of Sept. 26.

"I can't pinpoint exactly what it was," he said. "Sometimes people look at something and see how it's going to affect them."

The agreement includes guarantees from GM to keep many of its plants open. The Romulus plant was among those promised work.

Workers at a powertrain facility in Massena, N.Y. that will be shuttered in December voted down the deal on Wednesday

The UAW is giving locals representing its 73,000 members who work at GM until Oct. 10 to vote on the deal. More than 60 percent of votes that had been cast by Friday morning were in favor of the deal.

Locals representing about one-third of GM's UAW-represented workers have reported results so far.

At least six locals will vote today.

and

First plant rejects UAW-GM contract
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that workers at GM Powertrain's Massena, New York engine plant are the first to have rejected the proposed four-year labor contract agreed upon by UAW officials and General Motors. The members of UAW Local 465 chose to shoot it down by a margin of 172 to 137. They have good reason, though. According to the contract, the plant in which they work is scheduled to close in 2008. We're actually surprised 137 voted for the contract at all considering the document seals their fate.

UAW workers under GM's employ have until October 10th, another five days, to approve the contract, though only 13,000 out of 73,454 employees have voted so far. The rejection by the engine plant in Massena is not surprising, though we expect the contract will still be approved by a majority of the UAW rank and file. After that, the UAW moves on to negotiations with Ford and Chrysler, both of which are in a weaker position than crosstown rival GM and able to offer the UAW less.

 

[Philly]

So, what does this mean? Is it just like losing a state in the presidential election? Can GM still keep the contract if it wins a majority?

My hope would be that the workers approve the deal. It seems pretty reasonable and GM needs to keep working.

 

[Joey D]

Looks like Chrysler is next on the chopping block for the UAW, what's everyone's predictions? Will we see a strike tomorrow?

 

[YSSMAN]

IMO, Cerberus should kick the UAW out, but its hard to say exactly what will happen. I don't think they will be as easy to push over by comparison to GM or Ford, but this being said, you really can't be certain... They're in worse shape than anyone else right now...

 

[Joey D]

Looks like the UAW is trying to shoot themselves in the foot again by disrupting the American automotive economy.

UAW strikes again! Targets American Axle after talks end
In a move that may threaten production at General Motors, the United Auto Workers union went on strike against American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. earlier today. The UAW work stoppage, the third called by the union within the past six months, centered around wages, benefits, and concerns that the company may be moving production to Mexico.

American Axle is the sole axle supplier to GM for light trucks such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. The company supplies axles, shafts, and related components to other automakers, as well. As the four-year contract with the UAW neared the end of its term and the strike loomed, American Axle did stockpile its inventory. It is unclear, however, just how much supply is on hand. It may not need to last long, as analysts expect a negotiated settlement to end the strike within several days. This is good news for everyone, especially the workers who are walking the picket lines outside in the freezing snow.

Oh and the oval they wore in the snow is impressive.

 

[Jim Prower]

Uh...

I think CAT's safe, they've recently redone their contract, but it usually gets nasty about this time in the Contract Cycle. The problem is where CAT's Growing, the auto manufacturers aren't really...

 

[Philly]

I thought they just renegotiated their contracts. Oh well. Hopefully it won't slow things down too much.

Oh and the oval they wore in the snow is impressive.

That was the first thing I noticed too.

 

[Keef]

So what would happen if these companies fired all their employees and hired new ones that weren't in a union? If they just shun the UAW won't it wither and die?

 

[YSSMAN]

Pretty much, I think. I have no idea. There wouldn't be too many happy people around here...

Meh, we'll see what happens. This actually effects my town here, one of the striking plants is nearby.

 

[Philly]

So what would happen if these companies fired all their employees and hired new ones that weren't in a union? If they just shun the UAW won't it wither and die?

My guess is that the UAW might take legal action and that might be enough of a threat to get GM to keep the workers.

 

[Joey D]

Let the foot shooting commence!

American Axle strike causes GM to idle four truck plants
It turns out that the three-day inventory of parts that was stockpiled by OEM supplier American Axle is not nearly enough to weather a strike by the United Auto Workers union. The strike began early Wednesday, and though it's only Friday, General Motors is preparing to shut down its second, third and fourth assembly plant on account of parts shortages from American Axle. GM shut down its Pontiac, MI truck plant yesterday, which will be followed by the Fort Wayne, Flint and Oshawa plants, which build the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, at midnight tonight. That's a lot of truck plants off-line, but there's one more in Silao, Mexico that builds the Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade and ESV that will remain running for now.

Unlike the strikes levied by the UAW against GM and Chrysler during contract negotiation talks last year, the current strike against American Axle is no token bargaining tool that will end before the paint on the picket signs is dry. Despite that, it does give GM an opportunity to lower its inventory of unsold trucks and SUVs, so for the time being the giant automaker isn't panicking. The strike has the potential to wane on, however, considering that the UAW is deeply committed to fighting against a proposed cut that would trim American Axle's hourly labor costs from $70 to between $20 and $30. The supplier wants to recoup its $3 billion investment in its plants, but the workers are fighting to ensure that it's not at their expense.

 

[Philly]

the UAW is deeply committed to fighting against a proposed cut that would trim American Axle's hourly labor costs from $70 to between $20 and $30.

Did I read that right? Is a full time laborer there making six figures?

 

[Joey D]

Did I read that right? Is a full time laborer there making six figures?

Yes, and I'm guessing they don't do a ton of work.

 

[YSSMAN]

Here is a secret kids:

General Motors is sitting on a four-month supply of full-size trucks. This doesn't hurt one bit...

 

[Jim Prower]

That's not exactly efficient production, But it is strike-proof.

They need to study the CAT Production System, which is the Toyota Production System Plus. And it's no secret...confidential green, which means it's training materials on the company website...

Hell, they gave ME a copy!

 

[Philly]

Strike to affect 20 plants now.

The 10-day strike between American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. and the United Auto Workers union is now threatening to idle or partially shut down 13 more GM plants as early as Monday. Although talks are underway again, even a resolution over the weekend may mean closures as it takes time to deliver inventory and ramp up production. As of now, seven assembly plants at GM have already been idled after the AA workers walked off their jobs on February 26th.

American Axle supplies components to many different automakers, meaning the strike is being felt industry-wide. The strike is hitting GM particularly hard, however, as it does represent some 80% of the supplier's business. GM idled four truck plants within days. By yesterday, five GM plants, and seven suppliers were down. Chrysler may also have to idle plants in Delaware and Mexico by mid-next week if both sides don't come to an agreement.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Reportedly, both sides already agree on the principles of a concession, leaving just the issue of hourly wages on the table. And, as most negotiation experts point out, money differences are often the easiest to solve.

[Source: Detroit News, Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Hopefully they can work things out soon enough. I had no idea things could slow down this much.

 

[Joey D]

I still think they deserve a big ass fail stamp for their bone headed move. Seriously who's in charge of that operation?

 

[ND4SPD]

Bah I have no overtime tonight because of this damn strike.

 

[ND4SPD]

Well thats it....I'm pissed. I'm going to say this now. :censored:ck the GM UAW strike. I just got laid off because of this.

Hmm sorry about the double post, didn't notice I was the last to post here.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

What was your job?

 

[ND4SPD]

I was part of the Quality Assurance Management at a Linamar company. We produce GM powertrain parts. I was the one who took bins ready to be shipped and tested the parts to make sure they were good and put final release tags on them so they were ok to be shipped. I also cut heat treated parts and did metallurgical tests on them to make sure the machines and heat treating was working and done correctly.

 

[Joey D]

This is a prime example of the overpaid UAW screwing people. I'm sure you didn't make a fortune doing what you were doing and I'm sure that income was pretty important to you considering you are younger.

 

[ND4SPD]

This is a prime example of the overpaid UAW screwing people. I'm sure you didn't make a fortune doing what you were doing and I'm sure that income was pretty important to you considering you are younger.

Yep I'm 18 and was making $12.50 an hour. Most of my paychecks were going towards helping with the bills and the rest for my car. So this is a big bummer. I hear that these UAW people on strike are the ones making well over $40 an hour....

According to some of the higher management in my plant, 3/4's of my plant is getting laid off. I came in for my shift last night and saw some of the afternoon people with sad faces and tears in their eyes and I knew this wasn't going to be good.

 

[Joey D]

Not to really piss you off but the high seniority guys that are striking are making $70 per hour, which comes out to $145,600 per year. The engineers designing the axles don't even make that much.

 

[ND4SPD]

Not to really piss you off but the high seniority guys that are striking are making $70 per hour, which comes out to $145,600 per year. The engineers designing the axles don't even make that much.

My god. That's all I have to say about that.

 

[Joey D]

I just want to know why someone making that kind of money wants more. I would be more then happy if I was making that, hell even half that. I mean obviously we all like money and what not but I think there is a point when the amount you are making or think you should be making outweighs the importance of your job. This is exactly why things are built in places other then North America.

 

[TopHat]

That sucks to hear ND4SPD. Hope you find a new job soon.

I really am getting sick of the UAW....

 

[ND4SPD]

I just want to know why someone making that kind of money wants more. I would be more then happy if I was making that, hell even half that. I mean obviously we all like money and what not but I think there is a point when the amount you are making or think you should be making outweighs the importance of your job. This is exactly why things are built in places other then North America.

I agree. I mean at 70$ an hour there is no point demanding higher pay. I hope they realize that they are putting people thst only make enough to barely support themselves out of a job.

That sucks to hear ND4SPD. Hope you find a new job soon.

I really am getting sick of the UAW....

Thanks. They tell me it's only a temp lay off and I should be back on the job in two weeks. I sure hope they're right. BTW, your name is the name given to one of the honda brackets we make at work haha.

 

[Joey D]

More FAIL:

American Axle strike idles first GM passenger car plant
When the American Axle strike began, GM had a 106-day supply of pickup trucks on dealer lots, and even a month-long strike likely wouldn't have hurt the Detroit automaker. It has now been more than a month, the strike isn't any closer to ending, and now GM's car plants are joining its truck plants in the unemployment line. Friday marked the last shift at the General's Hamtramck, MI plant, which builds the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS, due to a lack of parts coming from American Axle. According to Automotive News the pain may not stop there, either, as the Lordstown, Ohio plant may have to shut down production of the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 due to a lack of brake components. GM may not have been all that concerned about the American Axle strike when it began in February, but now after a month with barely any talks and a quickly growing list of shuttered plants, we're guessing things are getting a bit tight over at the Ren Cen.

 

[Philly]

I wonder what these guys are going to do when GM runs out of money to pay these guys. I bet they'd say they were victims of a poorly managed company and demand excessive compensation.