American Axle/UAW Strike Thread

[Hurricane]

American Axle/UAW Strike: Why It's NOT A Big Deal
By Phil LeBeaucnbc.com
| 27 Feb 2008 | 12:22 PM ET

Yesterday, the UAW went on strike at American Axle . Considering Axle's size and importance to General Motors' truck business, you would think folks in Detroit are worried that shutting down AAM will ultimately put a big hurt on GM. But when I talk to folks in the auto industry, the reaction I get is basically a big shrug of the shoulders.

Given the stockpile of parts American Axle has built up, and GM's bloated truck inventory, both companies could go for quite a while before they notice an impact. And with other companies in the auto industry now paying UAW members, American Axle is determined to get the same kind of deal. And if that means waiting, and shifting work overseas, that's what the parts supplier will do. The UAW counters that its American Axle workers should not be taking a massive pay cut from a company that made $37 million dollars last year.

After the UAW went on strike during the Big 3 contract negotiations last fall, a number of people said the union staged "Hollywood Strikes" designed to make the union look tough more than actually hurt the companies.

I haven't heard the same comments with this strike, but it is interesting that this strike doesn't seem to be "freaking out" people in the auto industry. In fact, one auto consultant said to me, "Big deal. This is not going to be a strike that has huge implications."

More here: http://www.cnbc.com/id/23370309/site/14081545

[Sal Collaziano]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

The UAW counters that its American Axle workers should not be taking a massive pay cut from a company that made $37 million dollars last year.

Workers get paid whatever they get paid. If I work for Microsoft I can't base my salary on what Bill Gates makes. If you want to have any control over the money you earn, than start your own business. If you are not capable of taking care of yourself by starting your own business, than you're F'ed and you must comply with whatever comes your way. Moron (no one specifically).

[steverino]

The UAW counters that its American Axle workers should not be taking a massive pay cut from a company that made $37 million dollars last year.

One hiccup can wipe out $37 million in a heartbeat. I guess the UAW figures that obscene profit should somehow flow to them, breakeven being the ultimate goal.

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by steverino

One hiccup can wipe out $37 million in a heartbeat. I guess the UAW figures that obscene profit should somehow flow to them, breakeven being the ultimate goal.

I'd just be happy that my company had $37 million in profit in Detroit.

[Desert Rat]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

I'd just be happy that my company had $37 million in profit in Detroit.

Who said that it was $37 million was profit? How do we know that is not the gross not the net of what the company made? Keep in mind, just like statistics, everyone twists things how it benefits them most. The article said they made $37 million, it does not say this was pure profit, maybe they brought in $37 million but spent $36.5 million on material, labor, benefits and overhead.

The company I work for did over $100 million worth of work in 2007. That doesn't mean that we had a profit of $100 million.

[TheGeneral]

Most of the automobiles that have axles are sitting on lots gathering dust. Good luck with your strike UAW!

[NfamousZ24]

It's latest fallout as auto industry upheaval stirs up labor unrest.

Eric Morath and Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News

General Motors Corp. will shut down its Pontiac truck plant today, forcing the layoff of about 2,500 workers, in the first major fallout from the UAW's strike against auto parts maker American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc.
GM needs parts from Detroit-based American Axle to build the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups at the Pontiac factory. GM spokesman Tom Wickham said work at the plant will stop after today's first shift.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...TO01/802280370

[NfamousZ24]

From what the word is at Moraine Assembly, We are going to be effected late 1st shift to early 2nd shift on Friday (29th).

[mrfunji]

Who pays the workers at Pontiac now? Is that part of the UAW strike fund?

[BurnOut]

Originally Posted by mrfunji

Who pays the workers at Pontiac now? Is that part of the UAW strike fund?

That's a really good question... IMO, it shouldn't be GM; it isn't THEIR fault. It shouldn't be AAM, the GM workers aren't AAM's employees. I don't even know if it should be the union, because the GM workers aren't the ones that struck. It will be REAL intersting to see how strong the union "brotherhood" is on this.

I can see it both ways:

- The GM workers pressure GM to pressure AAM to cave

- The GM workers pressure the AAM workers to accept the new contract just as they did, and get back to work

[GMCSonoma]

It's affecting parts availability already...

I'm getting pinged for several part#'s for SPRINT requests...

[NfamousZ24]

Originally Posted by mrfunji

Who pays the workers at Pontiac now? Is that part of the UAW strike fund?

Well for the rest of this week it will be GM paying (they might get the money from Fining AAM) what they call short work week pay. They started a week they are garunteed a weeks pay.

Next week they will be unemployeed laid off. In Ohio if it is your union ( UAW ) striking you won't get paid unemployment. Good for me that I am IUE-CWA and it isn't my union striking. So I will be getting state unemployment if and when we get shut down due to the strike.

[SUPERBADD75]

UH..... maybe they should consider the condition the entire American auto industry is in at the time and get over themselves. right now, every worker in the U.S. is at risk with the way the economy is going. the least they could do is just be happy with the fact that they have jobs and aren't on the street likne a lot of people. damn, unions really piss me off. REJOICE IN THE FACT THAT YOU ARE EMPLOYED, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS WOULD LOVE A JOB AND CAN'T FIND ONE.

[NfamousZ24]

As a Conservative Republican that just happens to proudly work in a Union at a GM assembly plant. ( there are many more like me)

I am all for this strike ( Not just because I am going to be paid sitting at home). These good workers known for a great product. Working for a sucssesful American Axle that goes against the grain of other supplier companies that are filling for bankruptcy. Why has American Axle been sucsessful while the others failed? Because the Union and workers at American Axle allowed Job Cuts, They allowed Quota limits raised, And they even agreed to Lower Wages for new hires in the '04 Contract.

How is American Axle going to come in tell them to take a $14 an hour paycut, Get rid of your Pension, And cut a bunch out of your Healthcare? With Little to NO compensation. Even the Bankrupt Delphi paid $105,000 for buydowns!!!!

[member12]

I feel as though that GM should be changing suppliers if this strike distrupts their production. They should be free to put pressure on UAW and American Axle to resolve this issue.

Then again, I am sure the required UAW strike clause is in American Axle's contract.

UAW...as American as The Kremlin