UAW Strike at Dauch Corp. Disrupts GM Truck Parts Supply, Threatens Production
Nearly 1,000 workers at a Michigan supplier plant walked off the job Monday after failing to reach a new contract with Dauch Corp., formerly known as American Axle and Manufacturing, the United Auto Workers union confirmed. The strike, which began at 12:01 a.m. ET, targets a facility in Three Rivers, Michigan that produces axles and components for General Motors pickup trucks.
Strike Details and Union Demands
The United Auto Workers did not release a full list of demands but stated in a Sunday night press release that workers are seeking to reclaim wages lost during the Great Recession. UAW President Shawn Fain announced the strike in a Sunday video statement, saying, "We'll stay out on strike until this company comes to its senses. The full force of the UAW international union will be standing with these workers. So, American Axle, time is up. No contract, no axles."
According to the union, longtime workers earning up to $29 per hour saw their wages cut to $14.50 in 2008. Current wages now top out at $22 per hour after a five-year progression. Josh Jager, a 24-year American Axle employee and chairman of the bargaining committee for UAW Local 2093, which represents the striking workers, told the Wall Street Journal that General Motors appears to have about two weeks' worth of axles in stock.
Company and Automaker Response
A spokesman for Dauch Corp. called the strike "disappointing" in an emailed statement but did not immediately respond to questions about bargaining details. "The company believes that the best outcomes for everyone – our associates, the union, and the company – are reached at the bargaining table. We remain committed to negotiating with the union in good faith and hope to promptly reach a fair agreement," the statement read.
A General Motors spokesman said the automaker "is closely monitoring the situation" and "assessing any potential impact." As of Monday, production at General Motors' plants continued operating as usual. The affected plant supplies axles for the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickup trucks, as well as heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. It also produces smaller components for the light-duty Silverado and Sierra pickups, and parts for Stellantis' Chrysler Pacifica minivan, a union spokesman confirmed. Stellantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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