UAW Preps for Long American Axle Strike

[doh]

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080317/ameri...abor.html?.v=1

DETROIT (AP) -- Top bargainers for striking United Auto Workers are talking with American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. as workers prepare for a long strike against the auto parts maker.
A UAW local official in Detroit said Monday only top bargainers are at the table. Union representatives from the company's five U.S. factories have not been called in.

About 3,600 UAW workers at American Axle plants in Michigan and New York went on strike Feb. 26 in a dispute over wages and benefits.

The resulting parts shortage forced General Motors Corp. to close all or part of 28 plants, affecting more than 37,000 hourly workers.

[jkennedy293]

I can't believe they have been on strike for almost a month already. I thought they would have had this sorted out by now.

[Xtreme08]

I never truly understood the whole strike mentality. I understand they are unhappy with whatever is happening in the company and I am not updated on the details. However why not continue working and have the the union bargain a new agreement while doing so. This way they continue to make money and do not affect some 30,000+ workers. I mean losing a month's wage is irreparable, there is no way even if they receive a raise that they will ever make that lost money back.

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by Xtreme08

I never truly understood the whole strike mentality. I understand they are unhappy with whatever is happening in the company and I am not updated on the details. However why not continue working and have the the union bargain a new agreement while doing so. This way they continue to make money and do not affect some 30,000+ workers. I mean losing a month's wage is irreparable, there is no way even if they receive a raise that they will ever make that lost money back.

Not intending to defend the union here, but if they just kept working then the company would have no incentive to negotiate. At some point they have to strike otherwise companies would not take them seriously. In other words, when a company tries to call their bluff, they have to prove it's not a bluff.

[Hitman1970]

Has anyone done an analysis on the current inventory for days of supply in our new and pretty lousy economic climate? These are all mostly trucks/SUVs. The DOS numbers last a little longer than originally expected due to demand. Let's hope this does not put a longterm hurt on GM.

[Joevette]

time for a new supplier

[1931Chevy]

I think this could help GM with their inventories of GMT 900 and with Gas prices on the climb I think that with current inventories GM can hold for about 3 to 4 months

[bone]

If this keeps up I can see American Axle shutting down its US operations and moving to Mexico or China.

[NfamousZ24]

Originally Posted by Xtreme08

I never truly understood the whole strike mentality. I understand they are unhappy with whatever is happening in the company and I am not updated on the details. However why not continue working and have the the union bargain a new agreement while doing so. This way they continue to make money and do not affect some 30,000+ workers. I mean losing a month's wage is irreparable, there is no way even if they receive a raise that they will ever make that lost money back.

Because usually they sign a contract with a bonus that will cover a month of pay atleast. Then you would have to realise that it just might be worth striking for to keep $14 an hour pay.

It is the last step the Union will take. Moraine Assembly Contract was up Sept 16th of last year. We were still working until we ran out of parts. Then again the talks are going good, Slow but good.

[SUPERBADD75]

so does this mean that GM is paying people to assemble trucks that aren't being assembled due to parts shortages? this is freaking ridiculous.

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

Has anyone done an analysis on the current inventory for days of supply in our new and pretty lousy economic climate? These are all mostly trucks/SUVs. The DOS numbers last a little longer than originally expected due to demand. Let's hope this does not put a longterm hurt on GM.

There was another article posted about 2 weeks ago I think and they were indicating a 3 to 4 months supply of GMT 900 trucks & suv's. So some strike time won't necessarily be bad, though I would be concerned about supply impact for the Hybrids as they may or may not have enough product built.

[A Bum In A Bus]

When you have 150 days of product you don't worry about a strike, that is the case here.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by Joevette

time for a new supplier

No, with alternatives like Getrag????

No way!

[TruckMan]

Originally Posted by NfamousZ24

Because usually they sign a contract with a bonus that will cover a month of pay atleast. Then you would have to realise that it just might be worth striking for to keep $14 an hour pay.

From what I've seen of union negotiations, there's always a signing bonus, regardless of when the contract is signed. So in reality, you are losing a month's pay (or the bonus). If you'd negotiated earlier, you'd have both.

[Hurricane]

Hope this doesn't last too long...