Three Strikes and You're Out: UAW Threaten Another GM Shutdown
The AP [via Yahoo] brings news that the UAW local representing GM's Ontario, Ohio metal stamping plant has given notice of their "intent to strike" this Thursday at 10am. Ontario makes hoods, doors, fenders and floor pans for several GM cars and trucks. Previously, GM plants in Warren and Grand Rapids threatened strikes but settled at the last moment. The UAW workers at Lansing Interiors, however, made good on their threat; the supplier's been on strike almost three weeks, pulling the rug out from under GM's Lambda crossover production (Outlook, Acadia, Enclave). Is the United Auto Workers (UAW) subjecting GM to a death by a thousand cuts? What's the point of negotiating a national contract if every plant covered by the agreement goes out on strike over "local issues?" Union Prez Big Ron Gettelfinger says that the Ontario and other strike threats "are about local contract issues and have nothing to do with American Axle." Yeah right. Most analysts see the GM strikes as an attempt to keep GM's feet to the fire, to force the automaker to bail out/buy out American Axle's union members. Whatever the reason, it will be a long time before GM starts making trucks again. In case anyone's wondering.
Comments
Join the conversation
netrun, Interesting. While I admire your cynicism, I think it's not really working that way. It could possibly be that there is someone in the UAW that is smart enough to think that up, but why make the AA guys strike and lose money over it. Would the AA guys go along? Don't you think that if GM asked to shut a plant temporarily, while paying 90% wages to the UAW guys that they would go for it? If they did the math they would figure out they are ahead at 90% and no expenses for working (commute, laundry, lunch, etc.).
@Katie re: ArcelorMittal HQ uh, no.... http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/01/21/stories/2007012100240600.htm
Captian Tungsten, I got mized up. They're TRADED on the Amsterdam stock exchange. My apologies.